India displays HAL Dhruv Mk. III naval utility helicopter demonstrator

The HAL Dhruv Naval Utility Helicopter demonstrator displayed in Aero India 2019. Photo c/o Aviation Analysis Wing.

At the ongoing Aero India 2019 exhibition, India’s Hindustan Aerospace Limited (HAL) displayed a technology demonstrator naval variant of their Dhuruv Mk. III Advanced Light Helicopter, which they designated as the Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH).

The  Dhruv NUH is still under development, and is said to be in the final stages with the prototype expected to proceed with its first flight this year.

The helicopter demonstrator features a new Automatic Rotor Blades Folding (ARBF) system, as well as a folding tail rotor section, both features important for ship-based operations for the helicopter to fit in usually tight hangar spaces in ships.

HAL is proposing the Dhruv Naval Utility Helicopter for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, and was designed to conduct various maritime missions including surveillance and targeting, search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).



[1]  Aviation Analysis Wing
[2] IHS Jane’s
[3] Indian Defence Research Wing