HAL Dhruv

what is it?

The HAL Dhruv (lit. 'Unshakeable') is a utility helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November 1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992; though its development was prolonged due to multiple factors including the Indian Army's requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. The HAL Dhruv entered operational service in 2002.

🔎How to recognise it: 4 turboshaft engines · 13.2 m main rotor

base stats

• speed 250 km/hcruise speed
• range 630 kmwithout refuelling
• seats 14passengers
• size 5,800 kgmax take-off weight
• built 335made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 34 years ago, in 1992.
• 🚗Rotor of 13.2 m: about 3 cars parked nose to tail.

turboshaft: A turbine that turns a shaft, usually a helicopter rotor.

spec sheet

first flight

1992-08-20

introduced

2002

status

still flying

number built

335

role

utility helicopter

origin

🇮🇳 India

makers

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

engines

4× Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 / HAL/Turbomeca Shakti-1H / HAL/Turbomeca Shakti / Turbomeca TM 333

passengers

14

length

15.9 m

rotor diameter

13.2 m

height

5 m

max take-off weight

5,800 kg

top speed

—

cruise speed

250 km/h

range

630 km

ceiling

6,096 m

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.

family