Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Flags Off Inaugural Flight of HAL Dhruv-NG Civil Helicopter in Bengaluru

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the inaugural flight of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dhruv-NG, the civil variant of the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), at HAL helicopter division in Bengaluru on December 30, 2025. The event marked a landmark moment as HAL formally forayed into the civil aviation sector with a dedicated civil helicopter built in India. The Dhruv-NG is a 5.5-tonne class light twin-engine multi-role helicopter powered by two indigenous Shakti-1H1C turbine engines. Technical specifications include a maximum speed of approximately 154 knots, range of around 340 nautical miles with 20-minute fuel reserve, endurance of roughly 3 hours 40 minutes, service ceiling of approximately 18,000 feet and internal payload capacity of about 2,200 pounds. The Shakti engine received civil certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), making it the first aero engine certified by DGCA for domestic manufacturing. HAL Chairman Dr D. K. Sunil stated that full civil certification of Dhruv-NG is expected in the coming months, after approximately 130 test flights using two prototypes. Multiple entities have expressed acquisition interest, including Pawan Hans, the Border Security Force and the Karnataka State Government. Pawan Hans has agreed to deploy eight Dhruv-NG helicopters for offshore logistics operations at Bombay High oil and gas field. The programme supports regional helicopter connectivity under the Union Government push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in civil aviation manufacturing.