Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed the inaugural flight of its Dhruv New Generation (NG) helicopter at its Helicopter Division in Bengaluru on 30 December 2025, marking the company’s formal entry into the civil helicopter segment. The flight represents a key step in HAL’s civil aviation strategy as the platform progresses towards certification for commercial operations.
The inaugural flight was conducted at the company’s Bengaluru facility in the presence of senior officials from the aviation regulator and public sector helicopter operator Pawan Hans Limited. During the same event, HAL received certification for the indigenous manufacture of the Shakti civil aero engine from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The Shakti civil engine certification is the first instance of an aero engine being approved by the civil aviation regulator for indigenous production in India. HAL said the certification was achieved with technical participation from Safran Engines and coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and is intended to support localisation of critical propulsion technologies for civil aviation platforms.
HAL stated that the Dhruv NG programme is progressing towards full civil certification within the next three to four months. The helicopter is being developed to meet civil aviation standards aligned with global regulatory requirements, with oversight from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation throughout the certification process.
The Dhruv NG is derived from the Dhruv Mk 1 civil helicopter, which HAL said has accumulated more than 24,000 flight hours. The new-generation variant incorporates design and system upgrades aimed at meeting operational, safety, and certification requirements for the civil market. HAL described the Dhruv NG as a 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter designed for operations across varied Indian terrain and climatic conditions.
The helicopter is powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines and is equipped with a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements. The avionics suite is intended to enhance situational awareness for civil operations, including passenger transport, emergency medical services, and VIP roles. Safety features include crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a twin-engine configuration to provide redundancy. HAL also said the helicopter incorporates advanced vibration control systems to improve ride quality.
For lifecycle support, HAL said it plans to offer manufacturing, maintenance, and upgrade services under an integrated support framework. This includes logistics models such as Power-By-Hour and Performance-Based Logistics, which are designed to support fleet availability and serviceability for civil operators.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is a state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer with activities spanning aircraft, helicopters, engines, avionics, and related services for military and civil customers.