India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a restricted type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its twin-engine Dhruv advanced light helicopter.
EASA issued the certificate June 29, 2023, restricting the aircraft to visual flight rules (VFR) operations, with a minimum flight crew of two pilots and no passenger or cargo transport.
The aircraft is also restricted to a maximum fuel quantity of 50 percent. According to media reports, this marks the first time a helicopter designed and developed in India has received EASA certification.
The Dhruv ALH is a multi-role utility helicopter that entered the market in 2001, and was previously certified by Indian regulators.
It has four variants in the 5.5-ton weight class, designed for various military and coast guard missions.
More than 300 Dhruv helicopters are operating with Indian Defence Forces, according to the company website, with more orders expected from defence, civil and export markets.
Other customers include the Nepal Army, the Mauritius Police Force and the state Government of Jharkhand.
Its major roles to date include flood relief and rescue, cargo movement, casualty evacuation, troop transport and maritime and social security.
HAL touted the certification milestone on Twitter, saying: “The EASA certification establishes that HAL is capable of designing helicopter platforms meeting stringent European certification requirements.”
