HAL enters civil helicopter market as Dhruv NG completes inaugural flight

6 months ago 1
ARTICLE AD BOX
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil, on  with others, airs  adjacent   the Dhruv-NG helicopter, astatine  HAL Helicopter Division successful  Bengaluru connected  December 30, 2025.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil, on with others, airs adjacent the Dhruv-NG helicopter, astatine HAL Helicopter Division successful Bengaluru connected December 30, 2025. | Photo Credit: J. Allen Egenuse

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) connected Tuesday (December 30, 2025) marked a breakthrough successful India’s civilian aviation ecosystem arsenic the Dhruv New Generation (NG) chopper successfully undertook its maiden formation astatine HAL’s Helicopter Division successful Bengaluru, signalling the PSU’s ceremonial introduction into the civilian chopper marketplace and a important measurement towards self-reliance successful civilian aviation.

The inaugural formation was flagged disconnected by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu successful the beingness of D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL; Maneesh Kumar, Joint Director General, DGCA; Sanjeev Razdan, CMD, Pawan Hans Ltd; and elder HAL officials.

During the event, HAL besides received the DGCA certification for ‘Indigenous Manufacturing of the Shakti Civil Engine’, a first-of-its-kind accomplishment successful Indian aviation. This marks the archetypal aero motor certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for indigenous production, representing a important leap successful India’s self-reliance successful captious aviation technologies. The milestone was achieved with the information of Safran Engines and adjacent coordination with the DGCA.

HAL informed that the Dhruv NG is progressing steadily towards afloat civilian certification wrong the adjacent 3 to 4 months, positioning it arsenic a cardinal level for India’s increasing civilian chopper market.

Describing the juncture arsenic a “flight of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Mr. Naidu said the maiden sortie reflected India’s increasing assurance and capableness successful aviation manufacturing.

“This formation marks an important milestone successful Indian aviation. I tin spot the sankalp of a Viksit Bharat taking wings. HAL has successfully conducted the inaugural formation wrong a twelvemonth of showcasing the demo. Dhruv NG has emerged arsenic a level for respective operators, and Make successful India is present a seal of planetary quality,” helium said.

Dr. Sunil termed the Dhruv NG the cornerstone of the company’s civilian aviation expansion.

“The Dhruv ‘New Gen’ chopper builds connected the proven Dhruv Mk 1 civilian platform, which has already clocked implicit 24,000 flying hours. It has been specifically upgraded to conscionable the rigorous demands of the planetary civilian aviation market,” helium said, adding that the chopper offered enhanced safety, precocious show and cost-effectiveness, making it a beardown indigenous alternate to imported platforms.

Designed and manufactured successful India, the Dhruv NG is simply a 5.5-tonne, airy twin-engine, multi-role helicopter, engineered to run crossed divers and challenging Indian terrains. With its improved systems and civilian certification roadworthy map, the level is expected to play a important relation successful strengthening India’s indigenous civilian aviation ecosystem and reducing dependence connected overseas helicopters.

Published - December 30, 2025 07:31 p.m. IST

Read Entire Article