HAL Dhruv
The HAL Dhruv (Literally means Firm) is a utility helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November 1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992; its development was prolonged due to multiple factors including the Indian Army's requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. The name comes from a Sanskrit origin word dhruv which means unshakeable or firm.
| Dhruv | |
|---|---|
| Dhruv Mk.I with the Sarang display team | |
| Role | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Design group | Rotary Wing Research and Design Center |
| First flight | 20 August 1992 |
| Introduction | March 2002 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Indian Army Indian Air Force Indian Navy See Operators |
| Produced | 1992–present |
| Number built | 335 |
| Variants | HAL Rudra |
| Developed into | HAL Prachand HAL Light Utility Helicopter |
Dhruv entered 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 the Indian Armed Forces, while a variant for civilian/commercial use has also been developed. Military versions in production include transport, utility, reconnaissance and medical evacuation variants.
As of January 2022, 335 HAL Dhruv have been produced for domestic and export markets logging more than 340,000 flying hours.