Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday inaugurated DHRUV-NG, the next-generation civil helicopter, at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr D.K. Sunil was also present on the occasion.
The minister flagged off the inaugural flight of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) DHRUV-NG, a civil variant of the indigenous helicopter showcased by HAL at the Aero India 2025 air show.
According to HAL, the DHRUV-NG is a 5.5-tonne light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter designed to meet the diverse and demanding operational requirements of Indian terrain. It has been significantly upgraded to cater to the stringent needs of the global civil aviation market.
The helicopter has been developed with a focus on enhanced safety, improved performance, and greater passenger comfort, marking a key milestone in India’s indigenous rotary-wing aviation capabilities.
The DHRUV-NG is powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines, offering higher power ratings and enabling complete internal maintenance within India. It is equipped with a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements, along with a modern avionics suite that provides superior situational awareness.
Advanced vibration-control systems ensure a smoother ride, making the helicopter suitable for VIP transport, emergency medical services, and utility operations.
HAL said the helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg, a top speed of 285 km/h, and can accommodate up to 14 passengers.
Positioned as a cost-effective and high-performance alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters, the Dhruv Civil NG comes with HAL’s “One-Stop Solution” covering manufacturing, maintenance, and upgrades. Operational support is provided through integrated logistics models such as Power-by-the-Hour (PBH) and Performance-Based Logistics (PBL), ensuring high fleet availability and serviceability.
(ANI)
