Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is likely to float a Request for Information (RFI) soon for identifying an Indian private agency that can produce the civilian version of the ALH Dhruv helicopters in future.
Considering the increasing need of helicopters in civil operations of the country, this will be a mega deal from HAL which is the OEM and Licensor.
Speaking during a function at HAL’s Naisik facility, T Suvarna Raju, HAL Chairman said the Company is keen to encourage private partnership in all its activities and as a major step, it would like to offer the indigenous helicopter ‘ALH Dhruv’ (Civil version) for manufacturing to select Indian Private Companies through Transfer of Technology.
The demand for civilian helicopters in India is said to be in their hundreds with sectors such as VVIP transport, tourism, transportation in remote and inaccessible areas taking up the major share.