Dhruv Mk.1

The HAL Dhruv Mk.1 is a versatile light utility helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. Its development began in the late 1980s as a joint venture with the French firm Aérospatiale, culminating in the first flight on September 20, 1992. Certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in 1998, the Mk.1 entered service with the Indian Army and Air Force in 1999, marking India’s first indigenously designed rotorcraft to achieve large‑scale operational deployment.

Key features include a semi‑rigid main rotor, twin Shakti (Turboréacteurs) turboshaft engines delivering 1,400 shp, and a fully composite airframe that reduces weight while improving corrosion resistance. The cabin can accommodate up to twelve passengers or a payload of 1,500 kg, and the aircraft is equipped with modern avionics, a glass cockpit, and a dual‑channel autopilot for all‑weather missions. Its modular design allows rapid conversion for roles such as casualty evacuation, maritime patrol, or electronic warfare.

The Dhruv Mk.1’s significance lies in establishing self‑reliance for India’s rotorcraft fleet, fostering domestic aerospace expertise, and proving exportable capability, with operators in Nepal, Brazil and several African nations.