Click to play videoBangalore: As India steps into its 61st year, here’s news to be proud of.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will begin trials of its indigenous advanced light helicopters, Dhruv.
The first demonstration of the homegrown Dhruv choppers with its brand new engines named Shakti were first introduced into the defence services by HAL five years ago.
With new engines that are 30 per cent more powerful, the defence choppers will be a proud addition to India's military arsenal.
“This engine has twice the load carrying capacity in high altitude. It can carry twice the payload as any helicopter in the world,” says deputy chief test pilot, Unni Pillai.
HAL's advanced light helicopter or Dhruv has been used so far for utility purposes like ferrying troops or rescue mission.
But in two to three years, one will see it in a new avatar - fitted with missiles and weapons and readied as a fighter chopper.
While only dummy weapons have been tested so far, the choppers on field will be fitted with swivel guns, rockets and missiles.
“The pilot will have new systems like electronic warfare, ground proximity approach systems, missile warning, laser warning to make it more lethal for our military services,” says chairman, HAL, Ashok Baweja.
Dhruv is the first domestically produced helicopter and HAL plans to test its new version in December in harsh conditions including high altitudes.
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