Military Helicopters
Mil Mi-26 “Halo”
ICAO: MI26
Overview
The HAL Dhruv ALH is the military-focused Advanced Light Helicopter variant of the Dhruv family. Developed for Indian armed forces requirements, it supports transport, reconnaissance, and armed missions. The aircraft builds on the core Dhruv design with mission-specific adaptations.
Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × Shakti
- Engine type
- Turboshaft
- Power
- 2 × 1,200 shp · 895 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 14
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- 6 ft 5 in · 1.95 m
- Cabin height
- 4 ft 8 in · 1.42 m
- Cabin length
- 8 ft 10 in · 2.68 m
- Exterior length
- 52 ft 1 in · 15.87 m
- Tail height
- —
- Fuselage diameter
- —
- Wing span
- 43 ft 4 in · 13.20 m
- Baggage volume
- 76 ft³ · 2.2 m³
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 12,100 lb · 5,500 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 6,600 lb · 3,000 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 370 gal · 1,400 L · 1,100 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 130 kt · 150 mph · 241 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 447 nm · 510 mi · 830 km
- Fuel burn
- 1.39 nm/gal · 0.68 km/L
- Ceiling
- 21,680 ft · 6,600 m
- Rate of climb
- 1,771 ft/min · 9 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
Gallery
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Operational Context
HAL Dhruv ALH — advanced light military helicopter
The Advanced Light Helicopter program sought to provide India with a domestically produced multirole rotorcraft. Following its first flight in 1992 and entry into service in the 2000s, the ALH variant became standard across multiple Indian military branches. It incorporates structural strengthening and mission avionics suited for operational use.
Equipped with twin Shakti turboshaft engines delivering roughly 1,400 shaft horsepower each, the ALH cruises near 140 knots (260 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight is approximately 12,100 pounds (5,500 kg). The helicopter’s composite rotor blades enhance performance at high altitude.
The ALH has operated in diverse environments, including high-altitude Himalayan regions and maritime deployments. Armed derivatives such as the Rudra add weapon systems for battlefield support. The platform continues to evolve as part of India’s expanding rotary-wing fleet.