HAL’s Dhruv NG helicopter completes inaugural flight, enters civil aviation segment

New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Tuesday successfully conducted the inaugural flight of its Dhruv New Generation (NG) helicopter, marking the company’s formal entry into the civil aviation helicopter segment.

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The inaugural flight was flagged off by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu at HAL’s Helicopter Division in Bengaluru, in the presence of HAL Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil, senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Pawan Hans Ltd and HAL.

During the event, HAL also received DGCA certification for the indigenous manufacturing of the Shakti civil engine, marking the first instance of an aero engine being certified by the regulator for indigenous production. HAL said the Dhruv NG is progressing towards full civil certification in the next three to four months.

The Dhruv NG is a 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL for civil applications. According to the company, the platform offers enhanced safety and performance features and is aimed at reducing dependence on imported helicopters in the civil aviation sector.

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