No.201UH Army Aviation squadron was raised at Bangalore and became the first to receive the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), on 15 Sept. 2001. This was a quantum jump for the Army, which had previously operated only Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Since then, the squadron has been actively involved in Aero India, giving a short demonstration of operations that would involve Army Aviation supporting commandos on an assault role. The demonstration would include a mock area sweep by a HAL Lancer, followed by an airdrop of a jeep, equipment and para-commandos from the Dhruv. Despite this sequence being a rather interesting display, it was and always has been carried out at quite a distance away from the public gathering for some strange reason. Although No.201 is located inside HAL's Helicopter Division campus at Bangalore, they deploy to the frontline regularly.

기존의 Cheetah, Chetak helicopters를 대체하고자 Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 프로젝트를 독일 MBB사(현재 Eurocopter Deutschland)의 기술협조로 추진하여 이번 아에로 인디아 2005에서 멋지게 시범을 보였습니다..
인도 해군의 신형 Project 15 델리급 구축함에 탑재가 예상되기도 합니다.

지난달 30일에는 칠레 국방장관앞에서 그 위용을 뽐냈답니다.


Chilean Defence Minister, Jaime Ravinet (C) watches a flypast demonstration of the 'Dhruv' Helicopter during his visit to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore, India on Saturday 30 April 2005. The Chilean Defence Minister, accompanied by a high level delegation, is expected to sign a deal with India to buy the indigenously developed 'Dhruv' choppers for its armed forces. EPA/Manjunath Kiran

Type: Advanced multi-role light helicopter.

Flight Crew: Two.

Length: 15.87 meters.

Main Rotor Diameter: 13.20 meters.

Height: 4.98 meters.

Weights: Empty - 2502 kg (5515 lbs.)
............Maximum - 5500 kg (12,125 lbs.)

Useful Load: 2600 kg (5731 lbs.)

Speed: Maximum - 290 km/h (180 mph)
..........Max. cruising speed 253 km/h (157 mph)

Service Ceiling: 5990 metres (19,680 feet)

Range: With 1500 kg (3300 lbs.) payload - 216 nautical miles (414 km; 249 miles).
..........With max. fuel & 20 min. reserves - 431 nautical miles (810 km; 497 miles).

Fuel Capacity: 1100 kg (2425 lbs.)

Armament: The Naval Dhruv has cabin side pylons for torpedoes, depth charges or anti-ship missiles.

Maximum External Stores Load: 1500 kg. (3307 lb.)

Self Defence: RWR; jammer and chaff/flare dispensers.

Important Milestones: PT1 (Z3182): Official first flight - 30 August 1992*
..............................PT2 (Z3183): First flight - 08 April 1993.
..............................PT3/PT-A (Z3268): First flight - 26 May 1994.
..............................PT4/PT-N (IN901): First flight - 26 December 1995.
*An unofficial first flight took place on 20 August 1992.


1. IA-1105 was the skid-version of the Dhruv, on static display. Note the logo of Army aviation. The final WSI version of the Army-variant of the Dhruv is to have a 8-12 µm nav-FLIR with a 288x4 MCT LFPA detector, CCD and a separate target acquisition system consisting of a Thermal sight with a detection range of 8 km and a laser rangefinder of range 6.0 km and accuracy ± 5 m. This will in turn, be integrated with the Nag ATGM system. The optics have been developed by IRDE labs of the DRDO.

2. IA-1103, starts off the demonstration by bringing in a jeep for the para-commandos to use. IA-1103 was one of the two Dhruvs formally handed over to Army Aviation on March 20, 2002. No.201 remains the Army's solitary Dhruv squadron, operating these helicopters in the utility role. The Dhruv is capable of underslung load up to 1500 kg.

3. The first para-commando prepares to slither down. Slithering trials were also carried out by Chilean troops when a team visited that country in June 2004.

4. Ropes are deployed from the cargo bay as well as the main door. The clamshell cabin door is opened and a second rope is deployed from the same location.

5. A total of four commandos are deployed, but do not slither down all the way to the ground like the previous batch. After being hauled around for a while, the commandos are finally lowered to the ground.