Mid Size Helicopters
Overview
The HAL Chetak is a license-built version of the French Aérospatiale Alouette III produced in India. Serving military and civilian operators, it became a versatile platform for training, transport, and liaison duties. The aircraft has played a foundational role in India’s rotary-wing operations.
Live Fleet Activity (ALO3)
📡
Fetching live data…
Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft
- Engine type
- Turboshaft
- Power
- 871 shp · 650 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 5
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- 5 ft 11 in · 1.80 m
- Cabin height
- 4 ft 5 in · 1.35 m
- Cabin length
- 5 ft 11 in · 1.80 m
- Exterior length
- 42 ft 2 in · 12.84 m
- Tail height
- —
- Fuselage diameter
- —
- Wing span
- 36 ft 2 in · 11.02 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 4,850 lb · 2,200 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 2,350 lb · 1,050 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 150 gal · 600 L · 500 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 113 kt · 130 mph · 209 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 292 nm · 340 mi · 540 km
- Fuel burn
- 2.19 nm/gal · 1.07 km/L
- Ceiling
- 21,325 ft · 6,500 m
- Rate of climb
- 950 ft/min · 5 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
Gallery
(/)
tap to zoom
(/)
Live fleet activity details
📡
.jpg){kind=link}
Operational Context
HAL Chetak — light utility helicopter
The Chetak was produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited beginning in the 1960s under license from Aérospatiale. Based on the Alouette III, it featured a simple and robust design suited to varied climates and altitudes. The helicopter entered widespread Indian service and remained in production for decades.
Powered by a Turbomeca Artouste turboshaft engine delivering approximately 550 shaft horsepower, the Chetak cruises at about 100 knots (185 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight is roughly 4,850 pounds (2,200 kg). The helicopter typically carries up to six occupants including the pilot.
The Chetak has been used for training, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, and naval utility missions. Its ability to operate in high-altitude Himalayan regions demonstrated its ruggedness. Although gradually replaced by newer designs, it remains an important chapter in India’s aviation development.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.