In a significant leap for India's domestic aviation industry, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-manufactured Advanced Light Civil Helicopter, named Dhruv NG, successfully completed its inaugural test flight on Tuesday, December 30, in Bengaluru. The event was hailed by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu as a defining moment for self-reliance.
A Defining Lift-Off for Indian Aviation
Minister Ram Mohan Naidu personally flagged off the helicopter's maiden journey. Taking to social media platform X after the event, he expressed his honour in being part of this milestone. He stated that the flight marks a "major Atmanirbharta milestone" and serves as a proud testament to the nation's indigenous engineering prowess.
"A Made-in-India rotary-wing for civil and commercial operations reflects India’s strength to design, develop and manufacture world-class helicopters," the Minister said. He emphasized that the Dhruv, powered by the indigenous Shakti engine, reinforces India's emergence as a reliable global hub for aviation manufacturing.
Before the historic take-off, the Minister inspected the helicopter's advanced systems firsthand by entering the cockpit with the pilot.
Advanced Features of the Dhruv NG Helicopter
Designed and built entirely by HAL, the Dhruv NG is positioned as a competitive alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters. It is a robust 5.5-tonne aircraft powered by twin 'Shakti 1H1C' engines.
The helicopter is packed with modern, safety-focused features tailored for civil and commercial roles:
- World-Class Glass Cockpit: Features a civil-certified glass cockpit and modern avionics for superior situational awareness.
- Enhanced Safety: Boasts self-sealing fuel tanks and advanced vibration control systems for a remarkably smooth ride.
- Performance Metrics: Has a maximum speed of approximately 285 km/h and a range of about 630 km.
- High-Altitude Capable: Can operate at a service ceiling of around 6,000 metres.
- Payload and Capacity: Can carry up to 14 passengers with an internal payload of about 1,000 kg. It is equipped to carry four stretchers along with a doctor and an attendant, making it ideal for medical transport and VIP duties.
- Endurance: Can stay airborne for approximately three hours and 40 minutes.
Paving the Way for Future Growth
Addressing the gathering after the flight, Minister Naidu congratulated the HAL team, engineers, and technicians, calling the launch a "very important milestone in Indian aviation history." He shared his personal pride as the Civil Aviation Minister overseeing this achievement.
Looking ahead, the Minister outlined a promising future for the helicopter sector in India. He cited the government's regional connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), as a key driver. "It is estimated that we will add over 1,000 helicopters in the next 10 to 15 years," he stated, highlighting the mission to make aviation more inclusive and impactful for all citizens.
The successful first flight of the Dhruv NG not only showcases HAL's advanced manufacturing capabilities but also solidifies India's commitment to becoming a self-sufficient powerhouse in the global aerospace arena.
