Lucknow / Bengaluru (NVI): The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), paving the way for its production.
LUH is a single engine, light weight, highly agile 3-Ton Utility Helicopter, indigenously-designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of Indian Army and Indian Air Force. It will soon replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
The HAL received the IOC document in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the ‘Bandhan’ programme held in Lucknow.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan described it is a momentous occasion for HAL and said, “it reinforces our commitment towards indigenous R&D programs on self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of the Indian Armed Forces.”
HAL is fully geared up to fulfill the requirements of its customers in a time-bound manner, he added.
HAL Director, Engineering and R&D Arup Chatterjee said the performance of basic configuration of
LUH in all terrains and under all weather conditions is satisfactory and HAL is moving towards the next phase of integrating and flight testing of Mission & Role Equipment on LUH.
One LUH Prototype is part of flying display and another is part of static display at the DefExpo 2020.
