The HAL Rudra, also known as ALH-WSI, is an armed version of the HAL Dhruv utility helicopter which is designed and produced by the Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
The Rudra was developed in parallel to the HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), a more extensive attack helicopter developed from the Dhruv. Extensive changes from the Dhruv were avoided to produce the Rudra with the express purpose of providing an indigenous armed helicopter faster than the LCH programme could do so. The Mark III variant features the sensors and mission equipment, but lacked weaponry; the Rudra Mark IV is provisioned with various armaments. The Rudra is equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR), day-and-night optical cameras, and a Thermal Imaging Sights Interface; armed models feature a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles and air-to-air missiles.[2] Work on the programme started in December 1998, and the prototype Rudra conducted its maiden flight on 16 August 2007.
Between 2011 and 2013, extensive flight testing of the Rudra took place, during which it was proved to have largely fulfilled or surpassed set requirements.
Its primary customer is the Indian Army, who took delivery of the first pair of Rudra helicopters in February 2013, the same month in which the type attained Initial Operational Clearance (IOC).[3] In addition to the Indian Army, both the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have taken interest in the type.
The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November 1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992; however, its development was prolonged due to multiple factors including the Indian Army's requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests.
The name comes from a Sanskrit origin word dhruv which means unshakeable or firm.
Light Utility Helicopter
Dhruv entered service in 2002. It is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators, with military variants of the helicopter being developed for the Indian Armed Forces, while a variant for civilian/commercial use has also been developed. Military versions in production include transport, utility, reconnaissance and medical evacuation variants.
As of January 2022, 335 HAL Dhruv have been produced for domestic and export markets logging more than 340,000 flying hours.
