Aviation milestone: Dhruv-NG civilian helicopter completes 1st flight in Bengaluru; chopper has top speed of 285kmph

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv–New Generation (NG) completed its maiden flight in Bengaluru on Tuesday, marking a step in HAL’s push to reposition the Dhruv platform for civil and export markets.

Civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu termed it a milestone for India’s civil aviation manufacturing ecosystem, highlighting closer coordination between manufacturers and regulators to reduce certification timelines.



Designed and built by HAL, the 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter builds on the existing Dhruv platform, with upgrades focused on safety, performance, ride quality and passenger comfort, while retaining hot-andhigh operational capability suited to Indian conditions.

Dhruv-NG is powered by twin indigenous Shakti 1H1C engines — already certified by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — offering higher power ratings and the advantage of in-country maintenance and support. This improves self-reliance and lowers long-term operating and lifecycle costs, HAL stated.

DGCA confirmed it has issued “a type certificate of India’s first civil turbo shaft engine — the Shakti 1H1C”.

The engine is developed by AERDC–HAL, Bengaluru, and delivers a maximum continuous shaft power of 568KW. “We’ll be conducting about 130 flights over the next couple of months using two prototypes,” HAL CMD DK Sunil said.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy New Year wishes, messages, and quotes !