India’s state-owned helicopter services provider, Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), is set to utilize the indigenous Dhruv NG helicopter for offshore operations following the acquisition of a global contract worth ₹2,141 crore from the national energy company ONGC, as reported by business sources.
The contract, which spans a decade, was awarded to PHL after a competitive global bidding process. The engagement not only highlights the Dhruv NG, which is an advanced helicopter model manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), but also supports the Make in India initiative.
This particular contract, known as the “ONGC Crew Change Contract,” will see Pawan Hans deploying four Dhruv NG helicopters for ONGC’s offshore operations. According to insiders, this presents a significant opportunity for India to showcase its capability to produce, certify, and operate a fully indigenous civil helicopter that meets world-class standards in the civil aviation sector for offshore operations. Furthermore, this initiative opens avenues for Indian MSMEs and suppliers to engage in the production of this domestic platform.
Previously, reports indicated that Pawan Hans had plans to introduce the Dhruv NG helicopter for offshore tasks. The Dhruv NG is a domestically developed aircraft, representing the civil variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III, which is utilized by the Indian armed forces. The military variant has a proven track record, with 335 units actively operational to date. The civilian model is equipped with Shakti engines and features a glass cockpit that meets civil aviation certification requirements.
Although the civilian variant has been operational since 2003, this marks its inaugural use in offshore applications. Currently, offshore operations primarily rely on helicopters from manufacturers such as Agusta-Leonardo, Airbus/Eurocopter, and Bell.
Earlier this year, Pawan Hans expressed interest in deploying these modern, domestically-produced helicopters for ONGC’s offshore requirements. The company has played a vital role in India’s offshore sector, providing helicopter services to ONGC, British Gas, HOECL, Petro Gas, and other entities.
As of now, Pawan Hans operates a fleet of 46 helicopters servicing various sectors, including oil and gas exploration, law enforcement, utilities, VIP and corporate transport, as well as passenger services. Additionally, PHL intends to replace 17 older helicopters and has sought financial assistance from the government for this initiative.
Sources indicate that the ALH Civil Dhruv-NG (Next Generation) is regarded as a “dependable and cost-effective solution” for Pawan Hans.
