OEMs start to lose hope for Indian NUH bid
An ALH Mk III MR performs deck operations on an Indian Coast Guard vessel. (HAL)
HAL continues to push its ALH strongly for the Indian Navy’s NUH requirement, but is it up to scratch compared to foreign designs?
The Indian Navy (IN) and MoD are locking horns over whether Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) should be permitted to bid for the 111-aircraft Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) tender alongside private players under the Strategic Partnership model.
Nevertheless, HAL stole a march by demonstrating its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III MR at the end of April.
An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ALH performed deck operations such as landing, folding blades, hot refuelling and storage in a ship hangar off the Chennai coast. HAL has delivered three ALH Mk III MRs each to the ICG and IN.
The Strategic Partnership model
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Rafale AI trials highlight shift towards operational fighter testbeds]()
Rafale AI trials highlight shift towards operational fighter testbeds
Dassault’s latest Rafale trials join Gripen E and F-16 testing as developers explore how artificial intelligence could support and control combat aircraft.
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry]()
Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
