Aero India 2021: HAL pushes the IMRH the Indian military’s way
HAL feels confident about developing a medium-weight helicopter, but it requires the Indian military to feel the same way.
Following development and certification of three different light helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is graduating to the 13t medium-lift Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army to replace rugged Mi-17s.
Chief designer G. Shamnath, of the Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre at HAL, announced at Aero India 2021, ‘These [Mi-17] legacy helicopters to be phased out by 2028 offer a huge replacement market.’
The IAF requires 250, the army 170 and the navy 123, Shamnath said.
‘We understand we are up against well-entrenched and serious global players…We are clear about our task. We
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