HAL Eyes Big Leap with Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, Hopes for CCS Approval by End-2025

State-owned aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is getting ready for a major milestone in its ambitious Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) program. HAL is hopeful that by the end of 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will approve the project, unlocking crucial funds to move from design to full-scale development.

The IMRH project is a key effort to replace the ageing fleet of Mi-17 helicopters currently used by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. About 240 Mi-17 helicopters, many of which are nearing the end of their service lives, are expected to be phased out starting in the early 2030s. HAL aims to begin handing over the new IMRH helicopters around 2032.

Designed as a modern, twin-engine, 13-tonne class helicopter, the IMRH will serve multiple roles. It will be capable of transporting troops, carrying cargo, evacuating casualties, and conducting combat search and rescue missions. The helicopter’s versatility will make it a vital asset, especially for operations in high-altitude regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

The development cost for the IMRH is expected to be between ₹10,000 crore and ₹12,000 crore over the next seven to eight years. HAL is planning to build the helicopter to meet the different needs of all three military branches, with the Army and Air Force being the biggest buyers. The Army might need about 150 helicopters, while the Air Force could order between 100 and 120 units.

On the technical side, the IMRH will feature a modern design, with advanced avionics and a fully digital 'glass cockpit'. It will have the capacity to carry 24 to 30 soldiers or lift 3 to 4 tonnes of cargo externally. Importantly, the helicopter will be able to operate effectively above 6,000 meters, a must for missions in the Himalayas.

The IMRH will be powered by a new engine being jointly developed by HAL and French company SAFRAN Helicopter Engines. Based on the proven Shakti engine used in HAL’s Dhruv helicopters, this new engine will deliver over 1,800 shaft horsepower (shp) and be specifically adapted for India’s tough operational conditions.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy will get a specialized version of the IMRH designed for maritime operations. This naval variant will come with features like foldable rotors for easy shipboard storage, a corrosion-resistant body for operating in sea air, and equipment for anti-submarine warfare and ocean rescue missions. The naval IMRH will require even more powerful engines, possibly producing over 2,000 shp, to deal with the demands of hovering and flying in humid marine environments. HAL expects the Navy might order 40 to 50 of these helicopters.

HAL has ambitious plans to have the first prototype ready by 2028, followed by flight testing between 2029 and 2031. Full-scale production is targeted to start by 2032.

Though HAL has built helicopters like the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) before, the IMRH is a much larger and more complex project. It will require new technologies like fly-by-wire controls, advanced crash safety features, and high levels of automation.

The initial CCS approval, expected by the end of 2025, would likely unlock around ₹2,000 crore to ₹3,000 crore to cover early design, prototype manufacturing, and ground testing phases.

HAL is also working closely with India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private firms such as Tata Advanced Systems to build key subsystems for the IMRH. This project fits into the larger 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) vision, aiming for 65-70% indigenous content. However, critical parts like the engine and transmission system will still involve international partnerships for now.

If all goes as planned, the IMRH could become a game-changer for India’s military aviation, boosting both operational capabilities and domestic aerospace manufacturing.