A big milestone for military self-reliance – Firstpost

As Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) continues to hog the limelight due to delivery delays of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’, and the grounding of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) after a recent fatal accident, there is a success story unfolding in the background. It is indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) which is required by Indian armed forces in large numbers. Inductions are expected to begin in 2025. The author, who himself has been a test pilot was invited to fly the still under-development LUH during Aero India airshow at Bengaluru. It is time to share the experience of a pleasurable flight and details of the programme.

India Begins Helicopter Production under Licence

Under a licencing arrangement between Aérospatiale and HAL, the Alouette III were built by HAL in India. Designated HAL Chetak and Cheetah, more than 350 rotorcraft have been manufactured to date. The Chetak continues to serve as the most widely used IAF helicopter for training, light utility and light attack roles. During the 2010s, the Chetak began being gradually replaced by the newer HAL Dhruv. The aircraft were also sold or donated to a few countries. The last new Chetak was delivered in 2021, and in 2022 marked 60 years of service in India.

LUH flows from ALH Dhruv

The HAL designed and built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Dhruv’ utility helicopter made its first flight in 1992. It began inducting in the armed forces in 2002. Over 400 variants have been built till date and they are flying with many Indian and a few foreign operators. The HAL Rudra also known as ALH-WSI, is an armed version of the Dhruv. Nearly 100 Rudra are flying and 75 more are on order. The HAL ‘Prachand’ as totally new design, multi-role light combat helicopter (LCH) evolved from the experience gained in Rudra. Nineteen of these have been built and are already in service with Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army (IA).  156 more are planned. LUH is the latest in the family and looks a smaller form of ALH and flies with a single engine. The LUH is a 3-ton helicopter, while the Dhruv is a 5.5-ton helicopter. Looks nearly two-thirds in volume.

Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Evolve

Like the other helicopters from the HAL stable, LUH has been developed by HAL’s Rotary Wing Research and Design Center. During the 1990s and the 2000s, the procurement of a modern successor to the aging HAL Chetak and Cheetah helicopters of the IAF and IA had been recognised as an impending need. Multiple attempts at establishing a competitive tendering program were initiated and most ran into some rough weather.

The Ka-226T was found to meet the requirement, and during December 2015, an agreement was signed for the creation of a joint venture between Rostec, Russian Helicopters and HAL to manufacture the Ka-226T at a new factory to be built at Tumakuru, India. Meanwhile, HAL, which had long held ambitions to design and produce such an aircraft, initially partnering a Western manufacturer, reportedly, Eurocopter. Finally, it was decided to go it alone.

India’s armed forces plan to start retiring their fleet of around 400 Chetak and Cheetah from 2027 onwards and is planning to replace them with the modern LUH. The Army has around 190. The IAF operates 120 of these helicopters including the 18 of newer Cheetal variant.

LUH Project Launch

In February 2009, India’s defence ministry approved HAL’s proposal. HAL promptly performed preliminary design studies on a prospective 3-tonne light helicopter, powered by a single HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turbo-shaft engine and possessing a range of up to 500 km and a payload capacity of up to 500 kg. In February 2011, HAL unveiled a full-sized mock-up of its LUH design. At this point, the basic design of the LUH was officially frozen. In March 2014, HAL promoted its LUH’s capabilities as a civilian multirole helicopter, noting its ability to carry up to six passengers in an appropriate configuration.

Following repeated delays to the type’s first flight, on 6 September 2016, the first prototype LUH PT-1 (ZG4620) conduct its maiden flight. This near flawless flight marked the commencement of the flight test phase. On 14 February 2017, the first prototype performed an aerobatic display at Aero India 2017. The more refined second prototype performed its first flight on 22 May 2017. The LUH flew at 6 km altitude as part of the “Envelope Expansion Test” at Bengaluru, a critical certification requirement, in December 2018. Subsequently, on 14 December 2018, the third prototype PT-3 had its maiden flight. In 2018, the LUH finished hot weather trials at Nagpur. Testing at sea-level altitudes was completed at Chennai in 2018 and at Puducherry in 2019.

Initial Operational Clearance

The Army completed its Initial Acceptance Trial on 7 October 2021. In January 2019, the LUH successfully completed cold weather trials. The high altitude hot weather trials were successfully completed between 24 August and 2 September 2019. By 7 February 2020, three prototypes had cumulatively performed over 550 flights. On 7 February 2020, the LUH received its Initial Operational Clearance (IOC).

The Indian Army requested a final demonstration trial prior to the LUH goes into mass production. HAL announced the completion of the final demonstration trial on 9 September 2020, which involved envelope expansion, performance, flying qualities, payload and landing capabilities at the highest altitudes of Siachen Glacier. The observations are being addressed. The helicopter design reportedly meets all the Preliminary Joint Services Qualitative Requirements (PJSQR) of the Armed Forces. As of January 2025, the flight control system software from the Safran Electronics is undergoing certification after which the aircraft can enter production. The LUH performed an acrobatic display at Aero India 2025.

LUH Design Features

The LUH is a 3-tonne class (empty weight of 1.91 tonne), highly agile new generation light helicopter. The cruise speed is 235 km/h and the maximum speed is 260 km/h. Service ceiling is 6.5 km (21,000 ft). Helicopter has a range of 350 km. It can accommodate a maximum of two pilots and six passengers, all of which shall be seated on crash-worthy seats. Externally, it can carry cargoes of up to 1 tonne under-slung.

LUH is fitted with fully-powered Flight Control System. The helicopter has a glass cockpit featuring Smart Cockpit Display System (SCDS) and a state-of-the-art HUMS (Health & Usage Monitoring System). LUH flight control system and autopilot software is supported by the Safran Electronics. LUH is powered by a single 750 KW rated Shakti-1U turbo-shaft engine derived from Safran Ardiden, co-developed by HAL and Turbomeca. It has a four-blade foldable hinge-less main rotor and a four-bladed composites bearing-less tail rotor. It supports dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system along with backup fuel control system. It has a skid-based landing gear arrangement. LUH is the only helicopter in the 3-ton class to have foldable rotors. HAL also has HTSE-1200 under development to replace Shakti-1U engines with an indigenous solution.

There is a significant Indian private sector participation. The gearbox was developed by Microtec Company located in Hyderabad, while the ring gear is built by Shanti Gears and transmission by HAL. Avionics hardware is supplied by Chennai-based Data patterns and HAL has developed the software. MKU is designing and developing the Generation 3 (GEN III) night vision goggles. With supplies from many other Indian companies, HAL plans to take the indigenous content to over 60 per cent.

Comparison with Chetak which it replaces

Important Avionics

The basic avionics include V/UHF (AM), intercom, radio management system, radio altimeter, Cockpit voice and flight data recorder (CVFDR), GPS, Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). Mission specific avionics could include VHF (FM), HF (SSB) Provision, INS-GPS (G3 INS), VOR/ILS, TACAN, and IFF Mk-XII.

Manufacturing Plan

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 2 November 2021 approved purchase of 12 Limited Series Production (LSP) variant of LUH including 6 each for IAF and IA. The 12 LSP aircraft deal would reportedly cost Rs 1,500 crore ($190 million in 2023). As of 13 January 2025, HAL expects the order for 12 LSP helicopters to be placed by second quarter of 2025. HAL has produced 6 LUHs already.

The aircraft deliveries will start within one year of signing. The LSP will be completed from Bengaluru, The Indian Armed Forces will purchase up to 400 production variant helicopters. HAL intends to mass produce the LUH at its new helicopter manufacturing complex at Tumakur that will have the capacity to produce helicopters of 3 to 12 ton category. The Tumakur assembly line will produce around 30 various helicopter variants per year initially and later ramp up helicopter production to 60 a year.

The Army plans to place an initial order worth Rs 45,000 crore ($5.2 billion) for over 90 helicopters and has a total requirement of around 225 helicopters. A full-fledged order for the three armed forces will be finalised soon. Full scale deliveries are projected to commence within 24 months of signing the contract.

Operational Role

As per HAL they have demonstrated that the LUH meets or exceeds all the parameters that are mentioned in Preliminary Joint Services Qualitative Requirements (PJSQR). Total of 1161 flights carried out till date.

Its missions include utility, troop transportation, emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (S&R), VVIP, and aerial reconnaissance and surveillance missions including armed reconnaissance. It will be used Airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC), and to direct artillery fire. It can carry small body of troops/ Quick Reaction Teams for special missions. It will have Scout role in conjunction with Attack Helicopters. It can be used for aerial photography. It could be a platform for Electronic Support Measure (ESM), Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) and Electronic Counter Counter Measure (ECCM). Helicopter can be equipped with floatation system.

Way Ahead

The helicopter meets FAR 27 requirements. IAF has ordered six LSP and 61 more are planned. IA has also ordered six LSP and 225 planned. Indian Coast Guard also plans to replace its Chetak fleet. Some civil operators and foreign countries have shown interest.

The helicopter will greatly enhance the operational capabilities in high altitude mountain operations, especially the Siachen glacier and Ladakh and North East. It will be able to carry greater loads and reduce total missions required for task. It will be an asset during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.

There will significant role in civil sector. It will be able to fly air taxies in major cities, and also in mountains to shrines. It can be used for rescue operations. India’s helicopter manufacturing program has come of age. The Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) will be the next big developmental activity. HAL should now find a private industry partner to increase production and promote civil industry to make India a global player. They will thus get investment and marketing support. Private industry can also help attract technology transfer. Indian helicopter design and development has crossed the inflexion point. Time to think big and leap ahead.

The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.