Overview
- Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the inaugural sortie at HAL’s Helicopter Division, marking HAL’s formal entry into the civil helicopter market.
- DGCA granted certification for indigenous manufacturing of the Shakti civil engine, described as a first-of-its-kind approval that reduces dependence on foreign suppliers.
- HAL plans roughly 150 certification flights over the next two months and is progressing toward full civil certification in the coming months.
- Initial commercial traction includes an order for eight Dhruv NGs from Pawan Hans for Bombay High operations, with interest signaled by ONGC, state governments and security forces.
- The 5.5‑tonne light twin features an AS4‑compliant glass cockpit, twin Shakti 1H1C engines, crashworthy seats and self‑sealing tanks, and HAL says indigenisation stands at about 65% with a goal of ~80% over the next decade.