HAL gets operational clearance for new choppers

Marks HAL's entry into global elite group that manufactures helicopter as weapons system

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAl) today achieved the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for its Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV, the Army Version of 'Rudra'.

Dr K Tamilmani, CEO, Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), presented the certificate to the company, a HAL release said. "The occasion gives us the confidence. It is a proud moment for the country and boosts our indigenous activities," HAL Chairman Dr R K Tyagi said.

The occasion marks HAL's entry into the elite group of a few industries in the world which design, develop, manufacture and certify a helicopter as weapons system to international standards, he said.

Tamilmani pointed out that the potential for helicopter 'remains forever' in India and the country has the ability to meet technical challenges on this front. HAL MD (Helicopter Division) P Soundara Rajan said, integration of multiple weapons systems on the helicopter is a complex assignment.

"In this particular case, it involved four major groups of systems and weapons, involving eight countries Israel, France, Belgium, South Africa, Germany, Italy, USA and India." "Nearly 23 km of cables had to be laid and hundreds of hours of flight and ground tests were carried out," he added.