TheHAL Dhruv (lit.'Unshakeable')[6] is autility helicopter designed and developed byHindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November 1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992; though its development was prolonged due to multiple factors including theIndian Army's requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998Pokhran-II nuclear tests.
The HAL Dhruv entered operational service in 2002. It is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators, with military variants of the helicopter being developed for theIndian Armed Forces, while a variant for civilian/commercial use has also been developed. Military versions in production include transport, utility,reconnaissance andmedical evacuation variants.
As of January 2024,[update] more than 400 Dhruvs had been produced for domestic and export markets logging more than 340,000 flying hours.[2][7]
HAL Dhruv on boardINS Vikrant during her sea trials
TheAdvanced Light Helicopter (ALH) program for an indigenous 5-ton multirole helicopter was initiated in May 1979 by the Indian Air Force andIndian Naval Air Arm.[8] HAL were given a contract by the Indian government in 1984 to develop the helicopter;[8][9] Germany'sMesserschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) were contracted in July 1984 as a design consultant and collaborative partner on the programme.[10][11] Although originally scheduled to fly in 1989, the first prototype ALH (Z-3182) made its maiden flight on 20 August 1992 atBangalore with the then-Indian Vice PresidentK R Narayanan in attendance.[12] This was followed by a second prototype (Z-3183) on 18 April 1993, an Army/Air Force version (Z-3268), and a navalised prototype (IN.901) with Allied Signal CTS800 engines and a retractable tricycle undercarriage.[13] Development problems arose due to changing military demands and a funding shortfall in the wake of the1991 Indian economic crisis.[8]
Naval testing on boardINS Viraat and other ships started in March 1998, and around the same time a weight-reduction programme was initiated.[14] However, further delays in development were caused when sanctions were implemented against India following a number ofPokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998 and India's continued refusal to sign theComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. As a result, the intended engine for the helicopter, theLHTEC T800, wasembargoed.[14][15] TheTurbomeca TM 333-2B2turboshaft engine was selected as a replacement; in addition, Turbomeca agreed to co-develop a more powerful engine with HAL, originally known as theArdiden.[16] Turbomeca also assisted in the development of the helicopter; stress analysis and studies of rotor dynamics were conducted in France.[17] The first flight of Dhruv with the new engine variant, called theShakti, took place on 16 August 2007.[18][19]
TheHAL Rudra, earlier known as Dhruv-WSI (Weapons Systems Integrated), is an attack variant designed for the Indian Army.[20] Development was sanctioned in December 1998[21] and the prototype first flew on 16 August 2007; it is to be armed with both anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and a 20-mm turret-mounted cannon.[22] The Dhruv-WSI is to be capable of conductingcombat air support (CAS) andanti-submarine warfare (ASW) roles as well.[23] In addition to the Dhruv-WSI, HAL is also developing thelight combat helicopter (LCH) based on the Dhruv for the Indian Armed Forces. It is fitted with stub wings for carrying up to eight anti-armour missiles, four air-to-air missiles, or four pods loaded with either 70 mm or 68 mm rockets. The LCH will also haveforward-looking infrared (FLIR), acharge-coupled device (CCD) camera, and a target acquisition system with laser rangefinder and thermal vision.[24]
A Dhruv of the Indian Army
In 2005, following a crash landing of a Dhruv, the entire fleet was grounded when it was discovered to have been caused by excessive vibration of the tail rotor. Following a redesign which incorporated new materials in addition to changes in design methodology, the Dhruv undertook recertification and returned to service shortly after March 2006.[25][26] In April 2007, a report published by the Indian Committee of Defence noted the Dhruv as one of four "focus areas" identified as having high export potential.[27] In January 2011, HAL and partnerIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced that they were jointly developing the Dhruv to operate as an unmanned maritime helicopter, stating customer interest in such a feature.[28]
The first five production Dhruv Mk III, powered by the more powerful Shakti-1H engine, were delivered to theLeh-based 205 Aviation Squadron on 7 February 2011 during a ceremony at HAL's Helicopter Division.[29] In July 2011, India'sDirectorate General of Civil Aviation certified a Dhruv simulator developed by HAL and Canadian developerCAE Inc; the simulator is easily modifiable to simulate different variants of the Dhruv and other helicopters such as theEurocopter Dauphin.[30]Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) has been developing an oxygen life-support system to improve the helicopter's high-altitude performance, and as of August 2010 the IAF has ordered development of this system for the Dhruv.[31]
The HAL Dhruv is of conventional design; about 29 percent of its empty weight (constituting 60 percent of the airframe's surface area) is composite materials.[32] It has been reported that the uniquecarbon fibre composite developed by HAL reduced the helicopter's weight by 50 percent.[33] The high tail boom allows easy access to the rear doors. The twin 1000 shp Turbomeca TM333-2B2 turboshafts are mounted above the cabin and drive a four-blade composite main rotor. The main rotor can be manually folded; the blades are mounted between carbon-fibre-reinforced plates, the rotor head is constructed from fibre elastomers.[10] In February 2004, US helicopter companyLord Corporation were awarded a contract to develop an active vibration control system (AVCS), which monitors onboard conditions and cancels out fuselage vibrations.[34]
The cockpit section of the fuselage is ofKevlar andcarbon-fibre construction; it is also fitted withcrumple zones andcrashworthy seats. The aircraft is equipped with a SFIM Inc four-axis automatic flight control system. Avionics systems include a HF/UHF communications radio,IFF recognition, Doppler navigation, and a radio altimeter; a weather radar and the Omega navigation system were options for the naval variant.[35] IAI has also developed targeting systems and anelectronic warfare suite for the Dhruv, as well as avionics for day-and-night flight observation.[28] HAL's claim that the Dhruv is indigenous has been challenged by 5h3Comptroller and Auditor General of India, who reported that as of August 2010 the helicopter was: "...against the envisaged indigenisation level of 50% (by 2008), 90% of the value of material used in each ALH is still imported from foreign suppliers".[36]
HAL Dhruv MK-III of the Indian Coast Guard
In September 2010, it was reported that the Dhruv's Integrated Dynamic System (IDS), which combines several key rotor control functions into a single module carrying the engine's power to the rotors,[10] was suffering from excessive wear, necessitating frequent replacement; as a consequence the cruising speed had been restricted to 250 km/h and high-altitude performance was lessened as well. HAL contracted Italian aerospace firmAvio for consultancy purposes and they subsequently replicated production of the IDS in Italy in order to isolate the problem with the early testing of the Dhruv subsequently being criticized as "rushed".[37] In June 2011, HAL has reported that the issue had been resolved and not present in the Dhruv Mk III; a number of alterations both to the design and production had been made to improve the IDS. A programme of retrofitting the Mk I and Mk II was completed by June 2011.[38]
The ALH Mk-III with newShakti-1H engines has better and improved high altitude performance operating at altitudes over 6 km. It comes with seating for 14 fully equipped troops. DGCA has reportedly praised its crashworthy design as a few accidents have not caused any fatalities.[39]
In September 2024, HAL assigned TimeTooth Technologies, based inBengaluru, for indigenisation of Rotor Damp System to be used on ALH Dhruv andHAL Prachand. The project involves development and qualification of the system for the next two years followed by its production and supply would be for a period of 5 years and beyond. The majority of the project will be funded by the private company itself. The production order value is expected to exceed $5 million within the 5-year period.[40]
India was expected to order up to 12 Dhruvs outfitted with an onboard emergency medical suite, to be used by the Armed Forces Medical Services forMEDEVAC purposes as of August 2007.[46] TheNational Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) placed an order for 12 Dhruv helicopters equipped with a full medical suite, including ventilators and two stretchers in 2007.[47]
On 23 December 2007, another major order of 159 helicopters, worth₹14,000crore (equivalent to₹420 billion or US$5.0 billion in 2023), for the Indian Army (105) and Air Force (54) was approved by theCabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after a delay of nine months.[48] The order was placed by September 2009.[49][50][51]
In June 2008, HAL has secured an order from theEcuadorian Air Force (EAF) for seven Dhruvs, worthUS$50.7 million.[52]
In 2008, it was announced that India'sHome Ministry had ordered six Dhruvs.[53]
In August 2008, a deal was reportedly finalised withTurkey for three Dhruvs forUS$20 million for use in the medical assistance role.[54][55]
On 4 September 2017, an order of 41 helicopters forIndian Army (40) andIndian Navy (1). The order is to be executed within 60 months The order was worth₹6,100 crore (equivalent to₹86 billion or US$1.0 billion in 2023).[57] The contract was earlier cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Ministry of Defence and chaired by theDefence Minister on 23 December 2013 at a cost of₹300 crore (US$51.2 million).[58]
Apart from getting 16 Dhruv Mk III, Indian Coast Guard issuedLetter of Intent (LoI) for nine additional units in 2022.[59] In March 2024, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the procurement of 34 Dhruv Mk III variants. The order was signed between MoD and HAL on 14 March 2024. The Indian Army would receive 25 units of Dhruv MkIII UT while Coast Guard will get 9 units of Dhruv MkIII MR. The order was worth₹8,073 crore (US$950 million).[60][61]
In November 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 6 ALH (MR) variant helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard.[62][63]
On 29 January 2026, HAL received an order worth over₹1,800crore (US$210 million) fromPawan Hans to supply 10Dhruv NG helicopters including associated spares and accessories. The deliveries will be completed by 2027.[64][65] Four helicopters will be deployed forONGC operations under an agreement signed on 17 December 2024.[66]
Dhruv Mk.III towed inside the hangar of anIndian Coast Guard patrol vessel
Deliveries of the Dhruv commenced in January 2002, nine years after the prototype's first flight, and nearly eighteen years after the program was initiated.[13]
TheIndian Coast Guard was the first service to operate the Dhruv; this was followed by theIndian Army,Indian Navy,Indian Air Force and theBorder Security Force. 75 Dhruvs were delivered to the Indian military and other government and civilian operators by 2007, and as of 2008 it was planned to produce 40 helicopters annually.[67] TheIndian Air Force'sSarang aerobatic display team performs using four Dhruv helicopters.[68] By 23 December 2007, while the Indian Army established two ALH squadrons at Nashik and Manasbal, the Indian Air Force operationalised two ALH squadrons inYelehanka AFS inBengaluru andSarsawa AFS.[48][46]
Sarang Helicopter display team of the IAF
The Dhruv is capable of flying at high altitudes, as it was an Army requirement for the helicopter to be able operate in theSiachen Glacier andKashmir regions. In September 2007, the Dhruv Mk.3 was cleared for high-altitude flying in the Siachen Sector after six months of trials.[69][70] In October 2007, a Dhruv Mk.3 flew to an altitude of 27,500 feet (8,400 m)ASL in Siachen.[71] An Indian Army report in 2009 criticised the Dhruv's performance, stating: "The ALH was not able to fly above 5,000m, though the army's requirements stipulated an ability to fly up to 6,500m"; this has been blamed on the TM333 engine. As a consequence the Army had to continue relying on the older Cheetah/Cheetal helicopters to meet the shortfall.[72] The more powerful Shakti-1H engine has since been introduced on the Dhruv Mk.3; on one test it carried 600 kg load to Sonam Post against the Army's requirement of 200 kg.[73] The Indian Army received the first batch of Dhruv Mk.3s duringAero India 2011.[74]
In October 2008, Defence MinisterA. K. Antony announced that the Indian Navy will deploy the Dhruv in the utility role. The proposedanti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant had been deemed unsuitable by the Navy, which was reportedly dissatisfied with the folding blade performance and maintenance record.[75][76] In 2015, HAL modified the foldable rotor's design to allow the Dhruv to be carried on board light frigates; several Indian Navy helicopters shall receive this modification.[77] The Navy has considered the Dhruv for maritime surveillance and search and rescue roles,[78] and in 2008 a senior Navy official said: "The ALH has a long way to go before the programme matures sufficiently for it to undertake basic naval roles such as search and rescue (SAR) and communication duties."[79] In 2013, the Indian Navy was reportedly interested in theHAL Rudra, the armed version of the Dhruv.[80] On 12 November 2013, the Indian Navy commissioned their first Dhruv squadron (INAS 322, Guardians); Vice Admiral Sinha stated that "In the Navy, Dhruv helicopters had transformed into an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter, which is also used for missions like heliborne operations, and armed patrol with night vision devices".[81]
US Army deploying from Dhruv ofIndian Army during a joint military exercise
On 9 February 2011, the Indian Army received their first batch of five Dhruv Mk III helicopters, from the 2007's 159 ALH programme. The helicopters, which were the first of the 2007's 159 helicopter order as well, was handed over by HAL chairman Ashok Nayak toMajor General PK Bharali on the maiden day of theAero India 2011. One unit was put on static display also.[82][83][84] Following the2011 Sikkim earthquake, four Dhruvs conducted rescue operations.[85] In October 2011, Jharkhand's regional government appealed forMil Mi-17 helicopters as operations of their Dhruvs had been disrupted by prolonged maintenance delays and a major crash.[86][87] In October 2011, The Telegraph reported that a spate of helicopter crashes, including the Dhruv, were alleged to have been caused by low quality maintenance work performed by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd.[88]
HAL introduces the 300thDhruv Advanced Light Helicopter
Six Army Dhruvs along with 18 Air Force Dhruvs were used during rescue operations after the2013 North India floods. Their compact size, agility, ability to carry up to 16 people to heights of 10,000 ft, and to evacuate stranded people from inaccessible regions was praised.[90][91][92] The Dhruv could carry more people from high-altitude helipads than the heavierMi-17, and land where the lighterBell 407 could not. Total flight time duringOperation Rahat andOperation Surya Hope was 630 hours, of which 550 hours were dedicated toSAR missions.[90][93]
Technicians attaching underslung load on an Indian Navy Dhruv
In May 2018, Israel Aerospace Industries was awarded a contract to upgrade cockpits of 150 Dhruv helicopters, in addition to 50 that had been contracted earlier.[94]
In September 2020, HAL announced that it had rolled out the 300th Advance Light Helicopter from its Bengaluru production line. Meanwhile, they were executing an order from the Army of 73 units and from the Navy and Coast Guard of 16 units each. Further, 38 had been delivered while the rest would be delivered by 2022.[95]
On February 5, 2021, the Indian Navy received the Advanced Light Helicopter MK III (MR) alongside the Indian Coast Guard.[96]
The 25 ALH Mk III helicopters ordered by the Army in 2024 are being fully equipped with ElbitEO Pods as well asSaab Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS). The latter had been selected by HAL as the helicopter's electronic warfare self-protection system.[98][99] The IDAS, also designated as Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS), features capabilities likeMissile Approach Warning,Laser Warning, andRadar Warning.[100][101]
Civil Dhruv variants are produced for transport, rescue, policing, offshore operations, air-ambulance, and other roles.[102] In May 2009, theBorder Security Force expressed interest to acquire eight ALH choppers besides a large transport aircraft and two small aircraft from abroad. The contract was to be finalised by the fiscal year.[103] TheOil and Natural Gas Corporation are to use the Dhruv for offshore operations. Several Indian state governments are to use Dhruvs for police and transportation duties.[46] In March 2011, India'sDirectorate General of Civil Aviation released a proposed airworthiness directive asking all civilian Dhruv operators to temporarily ground their aircraft due to cracks potentially forming in the tail area, and recommended reinforcing affected areas.[104][105]
In February 2012, theHome Ministry reported that the Dhruv remained grounded and that other helicopters such as the Mi-17 were beingwet-leased in its place and that in the long term the Dhruv fleet is to be replaced.[106] In January 2014, theGeological Survey of India (GSI) inducted a Dhruv equipped with a heliborne geophysical survey system (HGSS). Costing₹63 crore (US$7 million), the HGSS can conduct magnetic, spectrometric and gravity surveys.[107][108][109]
As of September 2024,Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) chose HAL Dhruv operated byPawan Hans for its operations to fly out personnel and equipment fromoffshore oil rigs. An initial order of 10 Dhruvs is expected with the order quantity expected to cross 28 units later.[110] On 17 December 2024, Pawan Hans Limited received an order worth₹2,141crore (US$250 million) to deploy fourDhruv-NG variant helicopters for offshore operations for 10 years.[66] The 10-helicopter order was placed on 29 January 2026.[65]
Israel: A civilian Dhruv was leased to theIsraeli Defense Ministry in 2004; IAI has also made use of the Defense Ministry's Dhruv for marketing and public relations purposes.[33][111][112]
HAL Dhruv helicopter gifted to Maldives
Maldives: In April 2010, the Indian Navy gifted a Dhruv to theMaldives National Defence Force for conducting search and rescue and medical evacuation,[113] while a second Mk.III equipped with aweather radar was donated in December 2013. The first helicopter is based atAddu Atoll and the second will be based atHanimaadhoo.[114]
Myanmar: In 2007,Amnesty International stated it possessed evidence that India planned to transfer two Dhruvs toBurma, and pointed to the use of European-sourced components as a possible violation of theEuropean Union (EU) arms embargo against that country.[115][116][117] The Indian government disputed Amnesty's claims and denied any wrongdoing.[118]
Nepal: In early 2004, the first foreign order for the Dhruv was placed byNepal for two examples.[41] In November 2014, India gifted another Dhruv toNepali Army as part of a strategic pact.[119][120]
Peru: In June 2008, the government ofPeru ordered twoair ambulance Dhruvs for use by the Peruvian Health Services.[121]
Turkey: In August 2008, a deal was reportedly finalised withTurkey for three Dhruvs forUS$20 million, with plans to buy as many as 17 of the helicopters for use in the medical assistance role.[54][55]
The Dhruv has become the first major Indian weapons system to have secured large foreign sales. In 2004, HAL stated that it hoped to sell 120 Dhruvs over the next eight years,[122] and has been displaying the Dhruv at air shows, includingFarnborough andParis in order to market the Dhruv.[123] HAL had entered into a partnership withIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop and promote the Dhruv, IAI has also helped develop new avionics and aglass cockpit for newer variants of the Dhruv.[124]
With a unit price at least 15 percent less than its rivals, the Dhruv has elicited interest in many countries, mostly from Latin America, Africa, West Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific Rim nations. Air forces from around 35 countries have made inquiries, along with requests for demonstrations.[125] Flight certification for Europe and North America is also being planned in order to tap the large civilian market there.[126]
South America: HAL has reportedly been negotiating with Bolivia for five Dhruvs; and with Venezuela for up to seven.[54]
Southeast Asia: The Dhruv has also been offered to Malaysia,[128] while it is also being evaluated by the Indonesian Army.[129]
Philippines: The HAL Annual Report for 2020-21, indicated that thePhilippine Coast Guard is interested to potentially buy 7 Dhruvs via Indian-based credit.[130] It is reported that the PCG is looking at the Dhruv ALH.[131][132] There has been to instances when the capabilities of Dhruv were demonstrated to Philippines. It was first used when PCG chief Admiral Artemio M Abu visitedIndian Coast Guard facility atGoa in 2023 and took part in a "Customer Demonstration Flight" and second was when a three ship flotilla (includingINS Delhi,INS Shakti andINSKiltan visitedManila, Philippines in May 2024.[133]
Egypt: Egypt stated in 2022 that it was interested in acquiring the ALH.[134]
Chile: The Dhruv participated in a Chilean tender for eight to ten twin-engined helicopters, conducting a series of evaluation flights to demonstrate the capabilities of its avionics and flight performance; however, it lost out to theBell 412,[137][138] although there were media accusations of unfair pressure being exercised by the US Government to favour Bell.[125][139]
HAL has secured an order from theEcuadorian Air Force (FAE) for seven Dhruvs, amidst strong competition fromElbit,Eurocopter andKazan. HAL's offer ofUS$50.7 million was about 32 percent lower than the second lowest bid fromElbit.[52] Five helicopters were delivered in February 2009, during Aero India 2009.[140] Both theEcuadorian Army andEcuadorian Navy have since expressed interest in the Dhruvs.[141] The Dhruv has been involved in search and rescue, transport, andMEDEVAC missions in the north of the country.[142]
Following the crash of one of the Dhruvs in October 2009, Ecuador reportedly considered returning their six helicopters to HAL amid claims of being unfit for service;[143] EAF commander Genl. Rodrigo Bohorquez stated "If it is a major problem that can't be easily remedied, we would have to return [the Dhruv]." HAL assisted the crash investigation, which found the cause to be pilot error.[144]
In February 2011, the EAF were reported to be satisfied with the Dhruv's performance and was considering further orders.[145] By October 2015, a total of four Ecuadorian Dhruvs had crashed reportedly due to mechanical equipment and Ecuador grounded the type.[146] In October 2015 Ecuador cancelled the contract and withdrew the surviving helicopters from service, non-delivery of parts and high accident rate were cited.[147] In 2016, the EcuadorianMinister of DefenseRicardo Patiño announced that the remainder of the HAL Dhruv helicopters of the Ecuadorian Air Force, which are stored at theGuayaquil Air Base are for sale and that the Air Force is looking for potential buyers.[148] The Government of Ecuador had unilaterally terminated the contract with HAL citing safety concerns of the helicopters.[149] A HAL spokesman said that while maintenance was supposed to be done by the EAF due to the warranty period being expired, the company was willing to assist them to make sure that the Dhruvs were operational.[150] Quito declined further assistance.[150]
The initial configuration with a conventional cockpit with mechanical gauges andTurbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshaft engines. A total of 56 have been delivered to the Indian military.[151][152] Manufacturing began in 2001.[153]
Mk.2
Similar to the Mk.1, except has the newer HAL-IAIglass cockpit.[152] Manufacturing had commenced in 2007.[153] A total of 20 have been delivered to the Indian military.[151]
Mk.3
An improved version equipped withShakti-1H engines, newelectronic warfare (EW) suite and warning systems, automatic chaff and flare dispensers,Saab Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS)[99] with Digital Moving Map,Electro Optical pod,infrared suppressor,health & usage monitoring system, Solid State Digital Video Recorder (SSDVR), Engine Particle Separator and improved vibration control system.[152][154] The first batch were inducted into service in 2012.[51]
Mk.3 Coast Guard
HAL Dhruv operated by Indian Coast Guard
Same in performance to the Mk.3 however, has additional equipment such as a cabin mountain MG, High Intensity Search Light and a loud hailer. It is armed with a 12.7 mm HMG.[155]
Mk. 3 Navy/Mk.3 MR (Marine Reconnaissance)
Has additional equipment such as a nose-mounted modern surveillance radar and electro-optical equipment to carry out maritime reconnaissance as well as long-range search and rescue missions, an HMG and the capability to mount at least 2 ASW torpedoes.[156] The radar provides 270° field of view and delivers the functions ofsynthetic-aperture radar,inverse synthetic-aperture radar as well asmoving target indication and classification.[157]
HAL is currently developing an advanced variant of the ALH Dhruv to address the specific needs of the Indian Navy. The helicopter is to be purpose-built for ship-borne roles including utility andmaritime search and rescue.
The UH-M programme has its origin from the Navy's Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) acquisition programme. The Navy issued a requirement of 111 units of utility helicopters. The programme was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the main acquisition panel under theMinistry of Defence (MoD) headed by the thenMinister of DefenceNirmala Sitharaman on 25 August 2018 though the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) document. The cost of the programme was set at₹21,000crore (equivalent to₹280 billion or US$3.3 billion in 2023). The requirement would be fulfilled through theStrategic Partnership (SP) model including an Indian and a foreignOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) under theMake in India initiative.[160]
According to a report in April 2022, theExpression of Interest (EoI) to OEMs and Strategic Partners were issued in February 2019. However, the deal was included in the third "positive indigenisation list".[161] Meanwhile, HAL had carried out a joint study of ALH Dhruv to increase theMTOW to 5.7 tonnes, reduce theempty weight and increase the overallpayload capacity to 600 kg. The modifications also included "reduced stowage dimensions to meet requirement with foldable two segment blades and modified upper control system andAircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST) traversing interface for ship deck." The programme is to replace the Navy's ageingChetak fleet.[162] The Indian Navy is to place an order of at least 50 helicopters in the first phase.[163][164]
The maritime wheeled version of Dhruv having segmented Main Rotor Blades (MRBs) and Main Rotor Head (MRH) in pre-cone configuration completed its first flight on 30 June 2022.[165] By March 2023, tail boom folding has been demonstrated. Reportedly, the UH-M will also showcaseanti-ship missile andtorpedo firing capability.[166]
On 16 March 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the Utility Helicopter-Maritime programme for the Indian Navy.[167]
On 20 October 2024, a report fromThe Economic Times revealed that the prototype of Utility Helicopters-Marine (UH-M) helicopter is under construction while the first flight is expected by May 2025. Its multirole capabilities will include transportation of personnel, cargo delivery andCASEVAC. Simultaneously, the new technologies developed for the new helicopter is also being tested on atestbed. The design is mostly based on the earlier Dhruv and includes extensive modifications to fit inside a ship-basedhangar. The modifications includes foldable tail boom as well as foldablerotor blades and a nose-mounted surveillance radar. The Navy needs 111 of these helicopters.[168]
As of 11 May 2025, the design of the helicopter is almost completed with first flight and deliveries expected by early 2026 and 2027, respectively.[169] In September, HAL released a tender in search for a company to co-develop anAESA radar for the UH-M helicopter. The radar is meant to operate in multiple modes including Sea Surveillance, Maritime Multi-Target Tracking, Weather Detection with Colour Classification Display for Weather,Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar andSART/Beacon mode forsearch and rescue operations. HAL's Strategic Electronic Research Design Centre (SLRDC)[170] will be responsible for the radar's design, development and integration in the UH-M.[171][172]
Also known as ALH-Civil, a Turbomeca TM333-2B2-powered 12-seat helicopter withretractable landing gear, type certificate issued on 31 October 2003.[173]
Dhruv (CFW)
A Turbomeca TM333-2B2-powered 12-seat helicopter fitted with wheels, type certificate issued on 20 April 2005.[173]
Dhruv (CS)
A Turbomeca TM333-2B2-powered 12-seat helicopter fitted with skids, type certificate issued on 30 July 2004.[173]
Dhruv NG
14-seater civilian variant of Dhruv Mk-3 equipped with twoShakti-1H1C engines and civil-certified glass cockpit,along with major flight safety upgrades.[66] First flight: 30 December 2025. It is designed for VIP transport, general passenger operations, HEMS (air ambulance) missions, and specialised roles including operational support,law enforcement, anddisaster relief (search and rescue). Specifications:[174][175][176]
As reported by theIndian Government toParliament on 8 March 2016, there were 16 accidents involving HAL Dhruv. “Out of 16 accidents, 12 occurred due to human error and environmental factors and the remaining four occurred due to technical reasons,” Minister of State for DefenceRao Inderjit Singh informed theRajya Sabha. The crash involved two civilian, nine Indian military and five foreign operated helicopters. As for the four Ecuadorian Dhruv crahes, two were due to human errors, one due to mechanical error.[149]
Further, four Dhruv and two Rudra helicopters were lost between March 2017 and December 2021.[178]
As of January 2025, 20 to 23 ALHs were lost in 23 years of service leading to a death of 17 pilots excluding passengers. A total of around 410 units have been produced.[179][180] While the Indian Army and Air Force have lost of 16 and six helicopters, respectively, the Coast Guard has lost three till date.[157]
25 November 2005: First crash involving an ALH owned by HAL. The helicopter was on its way fromBangalore toRanchi when it crash-landed in a field nearKarimnagar inAndhra Pradesh.[179] The crash was attributed to an expired raisin on the tail rotor of the helicopter following an investigation.[48]
2 February 2007: First fatal crash involving an IAF Dhruv while flying withSarang display team atYelehanka. Two officers ofWing Commander andSquadron Leader rank lost their lives.[179] The crash was attributed to pilot error as per HAL, though the Air Force has denied the claim.[48]
25 July 2014: an IAF Dhruv MkIII of111 HU carrying two pilots (wing commander T.B.N. Singh and a squadron leader) and five airmen (a junior warrant officer, a sergeant, a leading aircraftman and two corporals) crashed inSitapur district at around 5 pm, killing all onboard. The chopper was enroute fromBareilly toAllahabad and a technical glitch was reported to theLucknow ATC before the tower lost contact. Another IAF helicopter rushed to the spot.[181] The particular chopper had been serviced days before and had flown over 500 hours. IAF had temporarily grounded its 40-strong ALH fleet which restarted operations by August-end. The army's fleet was also grounded for inspection.[182]
25 January 2021: an Army Dhruv helicopter crashed due to a technical snag inKathua district’sLakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir, killing one of the pilots.[183][184]
3 August 2021: an Army Rudra helicopter crashed into the water nearRanjit Sagar Dam Lake. The helicopter belonged to thePathankot-based 254 ALH-WSI squadron and was carrying out a routine training mission involving low-level flying over the lake and had two officers — aLt Col A S Bath and aCapt Jayant Joshi. The crash led to their death and their bodies were recovered from water after 12 and 76 days of the incident, respectively. Being an Army chopper, it lacked an emergency flotation gear (EFG). Thesearch and rescue mission involved specialized divers and Dhruv andCheetah helicopters and, later, a heavy-liftChinook helicopter also joined the search.[186][179][187][178]
21 October 2022: an Army Rudra, inducted in 2015, crashed killing two pilots and three soldiers onboard. The crash occurred near theTuting area inArunachal Pradesh’sUpper Siang district around 10:43 am. The crash was attributed to technical issues.[188][189]
On 8 March 2023, a Mark III naval variant made an emergency water landing off the coast of Mumbai, prompting the navy to ground the aircraft pending further investigation. All three crew members were rescued. Before the crash, the crew experienced a "sudden loss of power and rapid loss of height".[190][191] The crash led to the grounding of the entire 330 Dhruv fleet of the Indian Armed Forces as well as the Coast Guard. A problem with control rods were identified. Only few units of the Army until April were cleared for flight before another accident took place.[192]
On 26 March 2023, an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv Mark III helicopter crashed during soon after takeoff from a height of 25 ft near the main runway atKochi Airport. Three Coast Guard servicemen on board survived with minor injuries.[193][194]
On 4 May 2023, a Dhruv of the Indian ArmyNorthern Command on an operational deployment made a hard landing on the banks of Marua river inKishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir at 11:15 amIST. Two pilots were injured while Craftsmen (Aviation Technician) Pabballa Anil succumbed to his injuries. A technical fault was reported by the pilots to theATC. The incident occurred while attempting a precautionary landing. The hard landing was attributed to undulating ground, undergrowth and unprepared landing area. This marked the third accident involving Dhruv in a 2-month span. The series of accidents resulted the mean time between checks for the helicopters to be brought down from 600 hours of flight to 300 and a further plan to 100-150.[192][195][196] On 6 May, the Army's Dhruv fleet was again grounded as a precautionary measure because this accident was not due to control rods like the previous incidents. Only IAF and ICG had a small batch of Dhruv flying as of then while the mean time between checks was down to 100 flying hours.[197][198]
Thealuminium boostercontrol rods, which were found to be the main reason of the recent accidents, are being replaced by steel ones. According to reports, the collective control rod has been replaced in the entire helicopter fleet while that of the other two rods (lateral and longitudinal) in the ALH fleet is underway, and is planned to be completed by end of June 2024.[199][200]
2 September 2024: an Indian Coast Guard Dhruv Mk 3 (CG 863) of835 Squadron conducted anemergency landing in theArabian Sea at night when deployed for medical evacuation of a seriously injured crew on board Indian-flagged motor tanker Hari Leela about 45 km fromPorbandar. The helicopter was launched at around 2300 hrsIST and crash landed at 2315 hrs while approaching the motor tanker ship. The injured crew was rescued by an ICG ship afterwards. The same helicopter had rescued 67 people in a recentcyclonic weather in Gujarat.[201]
Search operations: Of the two pilots and two divers on the helicopter, one diver (diver Gautam Kumar) was rescued by a search and rescue team and the search for the others were on. The wreckage was also found. The search and rescue team deployed included — four ships and two aircraft of the ICG and two specialised ships and diving ships of the Navy.[201] Later, two missing personnel's body was recovered. They were later known to be pilot Vipin Babu and diver Karan Singh. For the incident, ICG grounded the Dhruv fleet for inspection.[202] As of 6 September, the search for the captain is on along with the process of salvaging the helicopter. The average depth of search and rescue ops is 55 m.[203] On 10 October, the remains of Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, the captain of the helicopter was located and recovered about 55 km from southwest of Porbandar after a total of more than 70 air sorties and 82 ship days of search efforts by the ICG and the Indian Navy. He wascremated with full military honours the next day. This culminated the massive search operation.[204]
2 October 2024: an Indian Air Force ALH air-dropping relief material in flood-hit Bihar made a forced landing in a swamp following engine failure. All four crew were rescued.[205][206]
5 January 2025: Another ICG Dhruv crashed in an open field atCGAE Porbandar,Gujarat and burst into flames. Both the pilots, who wereQualified Flying Instructors,[157] and the aircrew driver lost their lives in the incident. An inquiry was launched to investigate the cause of the crash. This was the third incident involving the Dhruv in four months.[207] The crashed helicopter had been inducted in June 2021 and "had completed one 90-minute training sortie, with the crew undertaking running change for the next sortie. While hovering at around 200-feet, the ALH then crashed nose down and burst into flames".[208]
Investigation:
The FDR (flight data recorder) and CVR (cockpit voice recorder) of the chopper were being analysed under HAL and ICG's independent investigations and the Dhruv fleet (includingHAL Rudra) was re-grounded again.[208] The helicopter did not respond to pilot's command for 3-4 seconds before crashing. On 11 January, HAL also asked for grounding of the civilian Dhruv fleet.[180]
4 February:CSIR-NAL confirmed that the malfunctioning of theswashplate — a component of the transmission system — made the aircraft unresponsive. This is the first instance of such failure. Adefect investigation committee (DIC), including members fromCEMILAC, HAL and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), was formed to identify whether the issue originated from quality, inspection, or maintenance. The wreckage was moved to CSIR-NAL, and the committee was to report within four weeks.[209]
2 April: Fleet-wide checks found cracks in swashplate assemblies of several Navy and ICG Dhruvs, likely due to saline-environment operations. The same defect caused the ICG crash. The aluminum-alloy raw material was sent toIndian Institute of Science (IISc) for fatigue testing, with results due by April-end for inclusion in the DIC report expected in May. The fleet could remain grounded beyond three months depending on whether checks can be done in the field or if each helicopter’s integrated dynamic system must go to HAL, especially if a design flaw is found.[210]
26 June: Army and Air Force Dhruvs were cleared to resume operations. However, an instrumented Dhruv each from the Navy and ICG remained under analysis. These were fitted with sensors to record subsystem load data—transmission, gearbox, rotor hub—across varying environments. Analysis was set for completion by end-July.[211]
By14 August, extensive tests of Dhruv was conducted from warships offVisakhapatnam in multiple weather conditions for two weeks to identify the cause of the incidents. The data was analysed by Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre and the compilation had to be submitted to DIC by August-end.[212]
5 September: The necessary rectifications were reportedly identified and HAL was close to the investigation's conclusion. An initial batch of naval helicopters would first undergo modifications and flight trials, followed by the rest.[213]
19 September: TheNon-Rotating Swashplate Bearing (NRSB) was identified as the defective component of the swashplate. The NSRB manages the pitch of the rotor blade which is important to provide lift direction and stability of the helicopter. The DIC was expected to meet soon. The ICG and IN had lost three and one Dhruv helicopters, respectively, with 29 remaining in their fleet. HAL chairman said HAL was not at fault for the other three losses and expects to inspect 4-5 gearboxes a month which implies the fleet's return to full fledged service within seven months.[214]
11 December: The helicopters would receive manufacturing modifications for a particular component. The modifications will be implemented in batches and the entire fleet is expected to return to service within six months.[215] Themaritime surveillance capability of the ICG was heavily affected due to the groundings and had to be trimmed down to 1980s level.[157]
On 1 May, the entire Army and IAF Dhruv fleet was cleared for operations after safety checks.[216]
On 11 June, theHAL Prachand fleet was also cleared for operations after replacing few sub-components as suggested by the DIC. The fleet was also grounded following the crash, due to its substantial design heritage from Dhruv.[217]
^Taipei Times, p. 5, 17 July 2007. Quote: A government source who asked not to be named, denied any wrongdoing and said India "does not attach much credence to reports by Amnesty International. India does give defense hardware support to Myanmar but the equipment is not offensive ... and not top of the line technology," said the source, asserting that Myanmar was helping in the battle against insurgents in India's northeast. Another Indian official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the technology concerned was for communications only and not for offensive operations.
^"Archived copy"(PDF).hal-india.co.in. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 6 September 2021. Retrieved15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Israeli MOD Inducts Dhruv".The Times of India. indiatimes.com. 3 September 2007.Archived from the original on 7 November 2015. Retrieved3 September 2014.
Sakhuja, Vijay (2011).Asian Maritime Power in the 21st Century: Strategic Transactions China, India and Southeast Asia. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.ISBN978-981-4311-09-0.
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