New Delhi – Israel has decided to extend its aeronautical expertise to India once again on its indigenous ‘Dhruv’ advanced light helicopter (ALH). The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will now be assisting state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to convert the ‘Dhruv’ ALH into an unmanned maritime rotorcraft.
According to sources, the Indian Navy has not been satisfied with earlier versions produced and will be going for an unmanned version of the ‘Dhruv’ helicopter. Apparently, the IAI and HAL have conducted tests on the ‘Chetak’ helicopter but are now concentrating on the ‘Dhruv’. The solution that is currently being envisaged is the development of a “black box” that could replace the aircraft’s pilots for maritime missions.
The unmanned version of the ‘Dhruv’ helicopter is likely to begin initial tests in the current year itself. Since the IAI is already involved in the ‘Dhruv’ ALH project, the cooperation and development with HAL will only become smoother.
The potential of the unmanned platform has been recognised globally. For India, an unmanned ‘Dhruv’ helicopter is the apt choice for maritime or border patrol since the endurance of the craft is limited only by fuel and not by human pilots. The unmanned ‘Dhruv’ will serve as a great asset in terms of security since it could be a combination of surveillance technologies, weapons and the possibility of mid air re-fuelling capabilities. Besides, the unmanned versions can work out economical and can be deployed in high numbers.
In India, HAL has become a partner of paramount importance for Israel Aircraft Industries and this is evidenced by the growing number of cooperative programs between the two firms. Besides, the collaboration in a HAL-designed and -built ‘Dhruv’ ALH and a joint venture firm with HAL, the IAI has been cooperating significantly with HAL in the past few years. Other projects include the development and sale of a kit to convert Boeing 737 passenger aircraft into freighters, setting up facilities in India for repair and servicing of UAVs and a centre in India for the repair of the opto-electronic payloads that are employed on these UAVs.
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