India officially unveiled the new next-generation civilian helicopter, the DHRUV-NG, at a ceremony held in Bangalore. The event was attended by India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, as well as senior representatives from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The DHRUV-NG belongs to the class of light twin-engine helicopters with a maximum take-off weight of 5.5 tonnes.
The helicopter is equipped with Indian-developed Shakti 1H1C turboshaft engines, which enable speeds of up to 285 km/h and transport of up to 14 passengers.
Among the most important innovations are a fully digital cockpit with AS4-compatible glass cockpit, a modern avionics system as well as improvements to vibration dampening systems for increased comfort on board.
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The engine Shakti 1H1C was developed as part of a joint project between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines.
Development began in the period 2002–2003 with the aim of replacing the less powerful Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 used on Dhruv– the helicopters.
The base model Ardiden 1H1, known in India as the Shakti, achieved certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2009 and has since been produced locally.
Designed for both the domestic and export markets, the DHRUV-NG is considered a key element in India’s strategy to expand the civil helicopter sector. During the event, Ram Mohan Naidu stated that India needs approximately 1,000 to 1,500 helicopters, considering that the country’s current fleet is estimated at around 300 units.
According to HAL, the new helicopter is considered one of the most important projects to strengthen the national rotorcraft industry, helping to reduce dependence on imported technologies and to develop local industrial capabilities in the aviation sector.
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Source and images: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Content created with the support of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
