This content now requires a Defence Insight® subscription to access

Our Executive Outlook content requires a Basic-level or higher Defence Insight® subscription to access.

Not a subscriber? Explore your options here

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

India approves more Dhruvs, but where are the LUHs and LCHs?

7th October 2021 - 00:53 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Christchurch

RSS

The Indian Army has been approved to buy 25 ALH Mk III helicopters such as this one. (Gordon Arthur)

India orders more Dhruv helicopters, but production approval for the LUH and LCH is lagging.

When India’s Defence Acquisition Council met on 29 September, it approved the purchase of additional Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Indian Army.

The ‘acceptance of necessity’ approval covered 25 of these Dhruv ALH Mk III helicopters ‘to improve the army’s integral lift capability ensuring its operational readiness’.

The batch built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will cost the Indian government INR38.5 billion ($515.9 million), which equates to a unit cost of $20 million per Dhruv.

A recent Indian Today article recorded the presumed flight cost per hour of the Dhruv. As seen written on the door of an in-service ALH, it

Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®

A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.

LEARN MORE

Author

Gordon Arthur

Gordon Arthur was the Asia Pacific editor for Shephard Media. Born in Scotland and educated …

Read full bio

More from Air Warfare

FIA 2026: KAI to offer T-50 jet trainer to UK Royal Air Force

Another contender for the Royal Air Force's future Hawk trainer replacement programme has emerged, with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) putting forward its T-50 as a proven solution that could be manufactured in the UK.
FIA 2026: Honeywell Aerospace targets expansion following June spin-off

Honeywell Aerospace charted its growth strategy as a standalone company, with CEO Jim Currier pointing to record defence budgets and a $19 billion backlog as drivers of expansion.
US Marine Corps aims to make drones as commonplace as rifles on the battlefield

The USMC is transforming drones into standard equipment through major funding increases, standardised training, new doctrine and rapid battlefield adaptation, with nearly $820 million requested for UAS programmes in FY2027.
FIA 2026: Malloy eyes NATO expansion and Australia for T-150 as it scales up technology

BAE Systems’ Malloy Aeronautics is seeking to expand the international customer base for its T-150 heavy-lift UAV, with NATO users beginning to adopt the platform and Australia identified as a key prospective market.
FIA 2026: Embraer, Anduril sign agreement to develop cruise missile launch capability for the C-390

The Brazilian airframer and US developer have announced plans to offer a palletised launch system for the twinjet tactical airlifter.
FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone

As Tekever positions its newly revealed UK-sovereign, autonomous heavy-lift drone family for the British Army's Project Nyx, the company is also eyeing an international future for the capability.