SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
On the sidelines of the Paris Air Show 2025, Dr. DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), provided a significant update on the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). Speaking to Atul Chandra, Editor at GBP Daily News, Dr. Sunil revealed that HAL is actively progressing with the design and development of these indigenous rotorcraft using internal funding, while awaiting formal government approval.
He emphasized that long-lead activities have been identified and are being executed in parallel to ensure the project remains on track for timely completion.
The IMRH/DBMRH program is a flagship initiative to develop a 12.5-ton, medium-lift, multi-role helicopter to meet the evolving needs of the Indian Armed Forces. The IMRH is intended to replace aging fleets of Mi-17 and Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the Indian Army, Air Force, and potentially the Coast Guard, while the DBMRH variant is tailored for the Indian Navy’s deck-based operations, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), and troop transport. With a projected requirement of over 550 helicopters across the services, the program is a cornerstone of India’s defense modernization and indigenization efforts.
Designed to operate in diverse environments—from high-altitude regions like Ladakh to maritime zones in the Indian Ocean—the IMRH/DBMRH will feature advanced avionics, a modern glass cockpit, and modular weapon systems. The helicopters are expected to be powered by twin engines, likely the AL-31FP or a derivative, co-developed with France’s Safran, offering superior performance at high altitudes and in hot-and-high conditions. The DBMRH variant will include foldable rotor blades and a compact design for compatibility with naval vessels like the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
Moreover, Dr. Sunil noted that “long lead activities for the project have been identified and are being executed in parallel to ensure timely completion.” Long-lead activities typically include the development of critical components such as engines, transmission systems, rotor blades, and avionics, which require extended timelines due to their complexity and reliance on specialized supply chains. By initiating these tasks early, HAL aims to compress the development timeline, targeting a first flight for the IMRH prototype by 2028 and production by the early 2030s, as per earlier statements from HAL officials.
The IMRH/DBMRH program addresses a critical gap in India’s rotary-wing capabilities. The Indian Army and Air Force rely heavily on Russian-origin Mi-17 series helicopters, which, while robust, are nearing the end of their service life. The Navy, meanwhile, operates a mix of aging Sea King and Kamov helicopters, which lack the advanced sensors and weaponry needed for modern maritime operations. The 2016 Uri attack and subsequent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China underscored the need for versatile, high-altitude-capable helicopters to support rapid troop deployment and logistics in challenging terrains.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.