India officially unveiled its new DHRUV-NG next-generation civil helicopter at a ceremony held in Bangalore. The event was attended by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and executives of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The DHRUV-NG belongs to the category of light twin-engine helicopters, with a maximum take-off weight of 5.5 tonnes.
The aircraft is equipped with 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 cabin with glass cockpit compliant with the AS4 standard, a modern avionics system and improvements to vibration reduction systems, aimed at increasing on-board comfort.
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The engine Shakti 1H1C was developed as part of a joint project between HAL e Safran Helicopter Engines.
Development began between 2002 and 2003 with the aim of replacing the less powerful Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 used on helicopters Dhruv.
The base model Ardiden 1H1, known in India as the Shakti, obtained European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in 2009 and has been produced locally ever since.
Designed to serve both the domestic and export markets, the DHRUV-NG is considered a key element of India’s strategy to expand the civil helicopter sector. During the event, Ram Mohan Naidu said that India needs around 1,000–1,500 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 major projects for strengthening the domestic rotary-wing industry, contributing to reducing dependence on imported technologies and developing local industrial capabilities in the aviation sector.
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Source and images: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Content created with AI support and reviewed by the editorial team.
