Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed the first flight of the Dhruv New Generation (NG) multi-role helicopter, marking a key step in the Indian manufacturer’s push into the civil helicopter market.
The first flight took place on December 30, 2025, at HAL’s helicopter division in Bengaluru and followed a formal inauguration ceremony attended by Indian Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. The Dhruv NG is a twin-engine helicopter that builds on the long-running Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv program.
HAL said the Dhruv NG has been developed to meet the operational demands of India’s challenging topography while also addressing certification and performance requirements for the global civil aviation market. The helicopter is intended for roles including passenger transport, VIP operations, emergency medical services, law enforcement, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue missions.
The Dhruv NG is powered by twin Shakti 1H1C turbine engines and features a civil-certified glass cockpit along with a modern avionics feature designed to enhance situational awareness, HAL noted. Safety features include crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks, and two engines to provide redundancy during critical phases of flight.
According to HAL, the Dhruv NG has a maximum takeoff weight of a little over 12,000 pounds, a maximum speed of about 154 knots, and a range of roughly 340 nautical miles with a 20-minute fuel reserve. Endurance is listed at approximately three hours and 40 minutes, with a service ceiling of around 18,000 feet, allowing for high-altitude operations. The helicopter can carry an internal payload of about 2,200 pounds.
During the first flight event, HAL also received certification from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation for indigenous production of the Shakti civil engine. HAL described the approval as the first time an aero engine has been certified by the DGCA for domestic manufacturing.
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu said India’s helicopter fleet is expected to grow to more than 1,000 aircraft over the next 10 to 15 years. He also pointed to recent policy changes under the UDAN 5.1 regional connectivity scheme, which extend viability gap funding to helicopter operations to reduce passenger costs on short-haul helicopter routes.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil said full civil certification of the Dhruv NG is expected in the coming months. Before certification is completed, HAL plans to conduct about 130 test flights using two prototypes. He added that eight Dhruv NG helicopters are planned to be deployed by Pawan Hans for logistics operations at the Bombay High offshore oil and gas field.
