SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s state-owned aerospace giant, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has secured a landmark deal to supply Civilian ALH-Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter) helicopters to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The helicopters will be used to transport personnel and equipment to offshore oil rigs in the open seas, a crucial part of ONGC’s operational needs.
The deal, signed with Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), will initially see the procurement of 10 Civilian ALH-Dhruv helicopters, with the possibility of expanding the order to a total of 28 units in the coming years. This move is part of HAL’s efforts to bolster its presence in the civilian aviation sector, particularly in areas requiring specialized, rugged helicopters for challenging environments like offshore oil fields.
The Civilian ALH-Dhruv met all of ONGC’s stringent technical requirements, demonstrating its capability to operate in harsh, offshore conditions where reliability and safety are paramount. Additionally, HAL’s offering stood out due to its competitive pricing, beating out several major European helicopter manufacturers. This win is a testament to India’s growing expertise in aerospace manufacturing, particularly in producing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
One of the key factors in the deal was the helicopter’s proven Shakti engine, which has been widely used in military versions of the ALH-Dhruv. For the civilian variant, HAL has ensured that the Shakti engine will receive civilian certification by mid-next year. Alongside the engine certification, the Civilian ALH-Dhruv will also feature a new glass cockpit, tailored to meet modern aviation standards for civilian operations, enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of the helicopter.
HAL is offering multiple cabin configurations for the civilian ALH-Dhruv to cater to a wide range of customer requirements. The standard configuration is designed for VIP transport, seating six passengers comfortably in a high-end layout. However, for clients like ONGC, which require helicopters for utility roles, HAL is also developing a variant with an eight-passenger capacity, providing more flexibility and utility for transporting personnel to offshore rigs.
The success of this deal could pave the way for further exports, as other countries and industries take note of the ALH-Dhruv’s capabilities and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, HAL’s commitment to obtaining full civilian certification for the Shakti engine and upgrading the helicopter with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit will enhance its attractiveness to global customers looking for versatile and reliable helicopters at competitive prices.
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