HAL Helicopter Division is one of the largest military helicopter production, maintenance, repair and overhaul unit in Asia. It was established at Bangalore in 1970 exclusively for manufacture of ‘Chetak’ and ‘Cheetah’ Helicopters in Bangalore under license from M/s SNIAS, France. But over the period, apart from license manufacturing, it started indigenous design and development of utility and Advanced light helicopter Dhruv in 1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992. The division is now expanded its horizon of helicopter activities from R&D to MRO and supporting to international customers. The company is now having the infrastructure of assembly and MRO lines for over 1000 military helicopters, including Kamov 226, LCH (Light Combat Helicopter), ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter), LUH and other variants. The manufacturing of Kamov 226T helicopter is under a joint venture agreement with Russian defence manufacturers. The Kamov 226T will replace the country’s fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Over the next 5 years, HAL will carry out major upgrades of almost the entire rotary wing fleet of the Indian Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard and civil users. LCH production will now take place in a newly built Light Combat Helicopter Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in HAL Complex.
