HAL's falgship Dhruv. Photo: HAL
By Anantha Krishnan M. | Aviation Week | Bangalore | India | August 06, 2010
In a major setback to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s (HAL) efforts to market its flagship Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has issued a report portraying the helicopter in a very poor light. CAG’s observations are part of its report on public sector undertakings (PSUs), which was presented to the Indian Parliament on Aug. 5. One of CAG’s most striking criticisms is that “90% of the total value of material in Dhruv is imported.” The report also takes HAL to task for not finalizing alternate indigenous suppliers, and says the Dhruvs are overweight and their new Shakti engine has not yet been certified.
