HAL Dhruv
HAL · India · first flew 1992 · helicopter
India's indigenous twin-engined Advanced Light Helicopter, a multirole machine used across military and civil roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.87 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-blade main rotor with hingeless composite hub
- Twin turboshafts above a wide utility cabin
- Bearingless tail rotor and sloping tail boom
A stout twin-engined helicopter with a four-blade main rotor, tall canted fin and a conventional tail rotor — bulkier than an Alouette but sleeker than a Puma, with prominent sponsons on armed versions.
Specifications
- The HAL Dhruv has a length of 15.87 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.2 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 290 km/h (180 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 pilots.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by HAL with German design assistance from the 1980s, Dhruv first flew in August 1992 and entered service in the following decade. It features a four-blade hingeless main rotor, composite construction and, in later marks, an indigenous Shakti turboshaft.
Variants
The family spans army, air force, navy and coast guard utility versions, plus the weaponised Rudra and the derived Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter programmes.
Where you'll see it
Dhruv is a mainstay of the Indian armed forces and has been exported and demonstrated internationally, though it does not serve in the UK; its roles overlap with those filled in Britain by the AW139 and Wildcat.
Related aircraft
- HAL Lancer
- HAL Dornier 228
- HAL HJT-36 Sitara
- HAL Light Combat Helicopter
- Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow
- HAL Dhruv Mk.1
- MD Explorer
- Schweizer 330SP
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