India officially introduced the new next-generation civil helicopter DHRUV-NG at a ceremony in Bangalore. The event was attended by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and officials of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The DHRUV-NG belongs to the category of light twin-engine helicopters, with a maximum take-off mass of 5.5 tonnes.
The aircraft is powered by Indian Shakti 1H1C turboshaft engines, capable of reaching speeds of up to 285 km/h and carrying up to 14 passengers.
Key innovations include a fully digital cockpit with an AS4-compliant glass cockpit, modern avionics and improvements to vibration reduction systems, intended to increase comfort on board.
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The engine Shakti 1H1C was developed as part of a joint project between HAL et Safran Helicopter Engines.
Development began between 2002 and 2003, with the aim of replacing the less powerful Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 engine used on helicopters. Dhruv.
The base model Ardiden 1H1, known in India as Shakti, gained certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2009 and has been produced locally ever since.
Designed to cater to the domestic and export markets, the DHRUV-NG is considered a key part of India’s strategy to develop the civil helicopter sector. At the event, Ram Mohan Naidu said India needs around 1,000 to 1,500 helicopters, while the country’s current fleet is estimated at around 300 units.
According to HAL, the new helicopter is considered one of the major projects for strengthening the domestic rotary wing industry. It helps reduce dependence on imported technologies and develop local industrial capacities in the aeronautics sector.
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Source and images: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Content created with the support of AI and proofread by the editorial team.
