India’s State-owned helicopter services provider Pawan Hans (PHL) will deploy the ‘Make-in-India’ chopper Dhruv NG for offshore operations after bagging a ₹2,000 crore global contract from the national energy explorer ONGC, sources told businessline.
Sources confirmed to businessline that the contract worth ₹2,141 crore has been awarded to PHL for a period of ten years after a global bidding process.
Besides, Pawan Hans, the contract promotes the Dhruv NG, the ultra-modern ‘Made in India’ helicopter manufactured by HAL.
The “ONGC’s Crew Change Contract” is for deployment of four Dhruv NG helicopters by Pawan Hans for offshore operations of ONGC.
“It is a unique opportunity for India to display its ability to produce, certify and operate a fully indigenous civil helicopter with world-class features in the civil aviation offshore sector,” sources told businessline.
“This will also offer an excellent opportunity to Indian MSMEs and vendors to participate in the production of this indigenous platform.”
Civilian variant
Notably, businessline in November had reported that the PHL planned to deploy the Dhruv NG helicopter for offshore operations.
HAL’s Dhruv NG is an indigenously developed helicopter. It is the civil variant of the ‘Advance Light Helicopter ALH Mk III’ helicopters used by the Indian defence forces.
These military helicopters have a proven record, with over 335 helicopters operational as of the date. The civilian version of the military helicopter is powered by the ‘Shakti’ engines and features a civil-certified glass cockpit.
Even though the civilian version has been in service since 2003, this will be the first time the chopper will be deployed in offshore operations.
Presently, only Agusta-Leonardo, Airbus/Eurocopter, and Bell choppers are used in production flying.
Earlier this year, Pawan Hans had offered to provide the ultra-modern ‘Made in India’ helicopters for ONGC’s offshore operations.
Pawan Hans has been a key industry player in the Indian offshore industry, providing helicopter services to ONGC, British Gas, HOECL, Petro Gas, and others.
At present, the helicopter services provider has a fleet of 46. It provides services to sectors like oil and gas exploration, police and para-public, utilities, VIP and corporate, and passenger transport.
Presently, PHL plans to replace 17 old choppers and has asked for funds from the Centre to do so.
As per sources, the ALH Civil Dhruv-NG (Next Generation) is a “reliable and cost-effective product” for PHL.