Pawan Hans to use Dhruv attack helicopters commercially

NEW DELHI: State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHL) is likely to become the first company to commercially operate Dhruv helicopters, which is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronauticals Ltd ( HAL) and currently being used only by the military.

PHL and HAL signed intent of cooperation for induction of 10 advance Dhruv MAK III Helicopter s in the fleet of PawanHans in Bengaluru today.

“These ten 14-seater helicopters will be inducted into PHL’s fleet over a period of two years and will be used for Rural & Regional Air Connectivity,” said a PHL official, who did not want to be identified.

PHL will not be buying the aircraft or leasing it but will be operating it for HAL, may be on a revenue or profit share basis.

“The deal needs to be worked out but one thing is sure that we will not be buying these helicopters,” said the official.