SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Maharatna defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), is making significant strides towards securing a contract for the supply of Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The contract is expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2025, marking a major step towards replacing the aging fleet of World War II-era Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
The LUH is designed and developed by HAL’s Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre, with the goal of addressing the operational requirements of the Indian Army Aviation Corps and the Indian Air Force. The helicopter has already received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in February 2021, a milestone that has paved the way for the ongoing finalization of its certification.
A critical component of the LUH is its flight control system software, which is undergoing rigorous testing to ensure its reliability and performance. The software, which has two main parts—one for basic stabilization and the other for more advanced flight control—has now been successfully installed in the LUH airframe. This system is undergoing certification testing, as HAL works to resolve any remaining issues to ensure the aircraft meets the stringent standards set by the Indian military.
As part of the initial procurement, HAL aims to deliver 12 LUHs—six each for the Indian Army and Air Force. This is just the beginning of a larger plan to supply a total of 225 LUHs to the Army Aviation Corps, which is set to replace its aging fleet of Cheetah, Chetak, and Cheetal helicopters. Negotiations are currently underway for the procurement of 110 LUHs, and once the contract is finalized, HAL will ramp up production to meet the demands of the Indian military.
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