Bengaluru, 30 Dec

Marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing, HAL’s next-generation multi-role civil helicopter, Dhruv NG, made its maiden flight on Tuesday.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the HAL-made helicopter, calling it a “symbol of the country’s capability.” Designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the civil aviation market, Dhruv NG features a civil-certified glass cockpit, modern avionics suite, advanced vibration control, and enhanced safety systems. 

The 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine helicopter, equipped with twin Shakti 1H1C engines, is tailored for high-altitude operations, VIP transport, air ambulance services, disaster relief, law enforcement, and offshore missions.

It offers a range of 630km, speed of 285km/h, service ceiling of 6,000metres, endurance of 3 hours 40 minutes, and internal payload capacity of 1,000kg. Addressing the gathering, Naidu said the flight marked “a very important milestone in Indian aviation history” and congratulated HAL’s workforce.

He added that HAL is evolving into a balanced organisation supporting both defence and civil aviation, reflecting India’s growing confidence in indigenous manufacturing.

The minister also highlighted the DGCA’s issuance of the type certificate for the Shakti engine as a “defining moment” for civil aviation and noted that India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market.

He cited the UDAN scheme’s role in enabling the addition of over 1,000 helicopters in the next decade. HAL officials said Dhruv NG is a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters, offering superior ride quality, passenger comfort, and operational versatility across multiple civilian roles.

They added that the helicopter’s modular cabin can be reconfigured for VIP, medical, or cargo missions, ensuring flexibility to meet diverse operator requirements, both domestically and globally.