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The Indian Navy has ruled out the induction of the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff, confirmed that the platform does not meet the service’s specific maritime standards.
In a recent interview with Vayu Aerospace Review, Admiral Tripathi stated that the Navy has completed its evaluation of the helicopter. The findings indicated that the LUH, in its current configuration, fails to satisfy the Navy’s Qualitative Requirements (QRs).
Consequently, the Navy is no longer considering the platform for procurement.
Operational Shortfalls in Maritime Roles
The Navy’s decision ends ongoing speculation that the LUH would replace the aging fleet of Chetak helicopters. While the LUH has been accepted by the Indian Army and Air Force for land-based operations, the Navy operates in a distinct and hostile environment that demands specialized capabilities.According to reports, the LUH could not meet critical criteria required for ship-borne operations. These shortfalls include inadequate corrosion resistance against salt water, limitations in payload capacity, insufficient endurance, and safety margins necessary for flying over open water.
The Navy maintains that any aircraft inducted must be specifically designed or adapted to withstand these rigorous maritime conditions, rather than being a generic utility helicopter optimised primarily for land use.
The Chetak Legacy and Future Requirements
Despite the rejection of the LUH, the Indian Navy continues to rely on the Chetak helicopter, a multi-utility platform that has been the backbone of naval aviation since its introduction in 1966.The service currently operates approximately 51 Chetaks.
Highlighting the type’s enduring relevance for specific limited roles, HAL delivered a new Chetak to the Navy ahead of schedule as recently as 2019. The Chetak is manufactured by HAL under a licence from Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters).
Search for a Suitable Replacement
With the LUH out of the running, the focus shifts to other avenues for modernising the fleet.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure 76 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) intended for both the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
HAL is also offering its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv platform for naval use.
However, the navalised version of the Dhruv has previously faced challenges in meeting specific operational needs, particularly regarding the rapid folding of rotor blades—a crucial feature for storing helicopters in the confined hangars of warships.
Despite these hurdles, the platform is expected to undergo further trials.
The Navy’s firm stance suggests that future procurements will strictly prioritise platforms that meet stringent naval qualitative requirements, ensuring that the operational readiness of the maritime force is not compromised.
