HAL Dhruv: News & Discussion: 29 Dec 2025

[Rakesh]

HAL Dhruv

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Design Specifications
• Crew: Two in Tandem Seating Configuration
• Capacity: 12 armed troops or 14 passengers
• Length: 15.87 meters
• Width: 3.15 meters
• Height: 4.98 meters
• Main Rotor Diameter: 13.2 meters
• Maximum Take Off Weight: 5,800 kg
• Fuel Capacity: 1,055 kg
• Maximum Payload Capacity: 1,500 kg (Mk2 variant) and 1,000 kg (Mk3 variant)
• Engine: Mk 1 and 2 variants ---> 2 × Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshaft each producing 1,082 shp
• Engine: Mk 3 and 4 variants ---> 2 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti-1H turboshaft each producing 1,432 shp

Performance Specifications
• Cruise Speed: 250 km/h
• Never Exceed Speed: 291 km/h
• Range: 630 km (Mk3 variant)
• Endurance: 3 hours, 42 minutes (Mk3 variant)
• Service Ceiling: 6,100 meters
• G Limits: 3.5
• Rate of Climb: 10.33 meters per second

[Rakesh]

Dhruv–NG is reportedly a civil variant.

https://x.com/manishindiatv/status/2005 ... 93455?s=20 ---> Inaugural flight of the ALH Dhruv–NG scheduled tomorrow at HAL, marking another milestone in India’s indigenous rotary-wing aviation journey. Watch complete report on @indiatvnews.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/VivekSi85847001/status/20 ... 88828?s=20 ---> ALH DHRUV Next Generation first flight tomorrow.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/20 ... 22586?s=20 ---> Dhruv NG first flight.

[Rakesh]

Indian Navy ALH Dhruv fleet set to resume flights after grounding
https://verticalmag.com/news/indian-nav ... grounding/
06 Jan 2026

[Rakesh]

Indian Navy ALH Dhruv Fleet Set To Resume Flying
https://kaypius.com/2026/01/06/indian-n ... me-flying/
06 Jan 2026

[basant]

Indian Navy ALH Dhruv Fleet Set To Resume Flying
https://kaypius.com/2026/01/06/indian-n ... me-flying/
06 Jan 2026

"... it could be related to manufacturing process of a particular “batch”" of non-rotating swash plates"!? Wow! They convinced many that there is a design flaw and that HAL is terrible at fixing the problems. After all, WhatsApp generals appear to have more balanced approach. In any case, it is good to know that we did a thorough search and ended up with a 'batch' defect. Hope HAL digs into the 'batch issue' in-depth to rule out sabotage.

[bala]

HAL Dhruv is a classic case of success (numbers deployed), with manufacturing introducing issues. This happens in all engineered products. Certain parts are critical for operations and enough margins are provided to make sure the part works in a rugged manner. It is quite gratifying to see work done on the investigation to narrowing the issue which is the responsible way to handle things. We need to move on, tis part of the learning curve.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/ParthVa53135321/status/20 ... 82247?s=20 ---> So full credits to @Defencematrix1 for this UHM update. So the details seems to be:

UTILITY HELICOPTER MARINE (Double Engine as per Navy Requirement for Marine Use)

1. Flight Testing - STARTED
* Initial flight tests have begun. Basic air frame + handling qualities evaluation underway.

2. Basic Helicopter Trials
* Full baseline helicopter testing expected to be completed by Q4 2026.
* Performance checks
* Endurance
* Hover & Deck Operations
* EMI/EMC Validation
* Naval environment testing

3. Weapons Integration Timeline
* Weapons & ASW package integration to start only after basic 2026 Q4 trials conclude.
* Overall full integration window: Next 2–3 years.

4. Planned Weapon Systems
* NASM-SR
* MR variant not planned for UHM as of now.
* Lightweight Torpedoes
* Indigenous development & integration planned.
* Lightweight sonars
* Still Under development; will be part of full ASW suite.

5. Sensors & Mission Systems
AESA Maritime Surveillance Radar
* Multi-mode AESA radar planned for:
* Sea-surface search
* Small-target detection
* Navigation & weather modes

EO/IR Sensor Suite
* Israeli-origin EO/IR pod, being produced by BEL
* Long-range day/night ID

Sonar Suite
* Lightweight ASW sonar set, indigenous
* Likely combination of dipping sonar & sonobuoy datalink

6. Full System Timeline
* 2026 Q4: Baseline trials complete
* 2027–2028: Weapon & ASW integration
* ~2028–2029: Mission-ready configuration

[putnanja]

Wow , this is great news! Was the first flight of UHM publicized at all? Don't remember seeing any news/videos/pics of it.

[bala]

HAL secures ₹1,800-crore order from Pawan Hans for 10 Dhruv NG helicopters



The Dhruv NG is the advanced variant of HAL's indigenously developed Dhruv helicopter platform and is used across civil, defence and utility operations. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Thursday said it has signed contracts with helicopter services operator Pawan Hans Ltd for the supply of 10 Dhruv Next Generation (NG) helicopters, with the deal value exceeding Rs 1,800 crore. The contracts were signed in Hyderabad and include the supply of helicopters along with associated spares and accessories, HAL said in an exchange filing. The execution of the contract is scheduled to be completed by 2027. Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), based in Noida, India, operates a fleet of around 42-46 helicopters as of recent records.

The Dhruv NG features twin Shakti engines, a civil-certified glass cockpit, terrain awareness systems, and enhanced safety for redundancy over single-engine models. The helicopter had its maiden flight on December 30, 2025, at HAL's Bengaluru facility, with full civil certification expected in 3-4 months.

News Link

[Rakesh]

IAF’s Sarang Team to Fly ALH Dhruv at Singapore Airshow 2026
https://bharatshakti.in/iafs-sarang-tea ... e_vignette
02 Feb 2026

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Platypuss_10/status/20225 ... 88397?s=20 ---> Indian Air Force ALH Dhruv! Today at Dibrugarh–Moran National Highway, Assam.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Platypuss_10/status/20225 ... 41307?s=20 ---> Another beautiful shot of the Dhruv!

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Kunal_Biswas707/status/20 ... 48598?s=20 ---> Indian Navy Dhruv MK2 and MK3 line up.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Defencematrix1/status/202 ... 72725?s=20 ---> HAL's Utility Helicopter Maritime (UH-M).

[uddu]

HAL Planning Flight Trials of Twin-Engine UH-M in 2026, Induction by 2030 to Replace Chetaks
https://www.thedefensenews.com/news-det ... e-Chetaks/
2026-01-19

[uddu]

https://x.com/HALHQBLR/status/2042595691374219407
HAL
@HALHQBLR
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over four ALH Mk III Maritime Role (MR) helicopters to the Indian Coast Guard at an event held in Bengaluru today, meeting delivery timeline & further strengthening ICG’s maritime capability. DIG Rajesh Makwana, TM & Bar CSO (Aviation), Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard) graced the occasion along with Shri P B Rangarao, CEO, Helicopter Complex.