HAL Dhruv NG helicopter completes maiden flight
By Ricardo Meier
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) conducted the inaugural flight of its Dhruv New Generation (NG) helicopter in Bengaluru on December 30. The event was attended by India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and senior HAL officials.
The flight introduces the Dhruv NG as part of HAL’s efforts to expand in the civil helicopter market. The company received the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s certification for indigenous manufacturing of the Shakti civil engine during the same event.
“This flight marks an important milestone in Indian aviation. I can see the Sankalp of a Viksit Bharat taking wings,” said Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation.
HAL expects the Dhruv NG to achieve full civil certification within the next three to four months. The Shakti engine is the first aerospace powerplant certified by the DGCA for indigenous production. The Dhruv Mk 1 Civil fleet has surpassed 24,000 flight hours since its introduction.
The Dhruv is a 5.5-tonne light, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter designed and manufactured for civil operations. It features a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements. The avionics suite is described by the manufacturer as providing enhanced situational awareness, supporting operations across a range of mission profiles and operating environments, including challenging terrain and climate conditions.
According to HAL, the Dhruv NG incorporates several safety-oriented design features, including crashworthy seating, self-sealing fuel tanks and a twin-engine configuration intended to provide system redundancy.
The helicopter is also fitted with vibration control systems, which the company states are aimed at improving ride quality, particularly for roles such as VIP transport and medical evacuation.
HAL notes that the Dhruv NG builds on the civil Dhruv Mk 1 platform, which the company says has accumulated more than 24,000 flight hours, while undergoing updates intended to meet current civil certification requirements.
