Rudra
Type: Attack Helicopter
Domain: air
Country of Origin: India
Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Overview
Armed variant of the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, providing India with an indigenous rotary-wing close air support and anti-armour capability. The Rudra (Sanskrit for "Storm") retains the Dhruv's utility helicopter airframe and twin-engine configuration (Shakti turboshafts) while adding weapons pylons, an undernose gun turret, armoured cockpit, and military avionics. Armed with a 20mm M621 cannon turret (400 rounds), 4 hardpoints for 70mm rocket pods, anti-tank guided missiles (Helina, Mistral AAM for self-defence), and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) turret for target acquisition. The Rudra bridges the gap between utility helicopters and dedicated attack helicopters, providing light-attack capability for counter-insurgency, mountain warfare, and tactical support operations. Maximum takeoff weight of 5,500 kg with service ceiling of 6,500 metres. Over 70 delivered to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force with production ongoing.
Technical Specifications
| crew | 2 |
|---|---|
| type | Armed Light Utility Helicopter |
| engine | 2x Shakti turboshaft |
| armament | 20mm turret gun; 70mm rockets; Mistral AAMs; Helina ATGMs |
| based_on | ALH Dhruv platform |
| max_speed | ~245 km/h |
| manufacturer | HAL, India |
Operators
- India
Related air Weapon Systems
- JF-17 Thunder - Multirole Fighter (Pakistan)
- F-16 Viper Block 70/72 - Multirole Fighter (United States)
- Bayraktar TB3 - Combat UAV (UCAV) (Türkiye)
- EDGE Reach-S MALE UCAV - Combat UAV (UCAV) (UAE)
- F-15IDN - Multirole Fighter (United States)
- Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ISR - Reconnaissance Aircraft (United States)
- MQ-9B SeaGuardian - Combat UAV (UCAV) (United States)
- AS332 Super Puma - Attack Helicopter (France)
- Toufan / Saba / Shahed-285 Helicopter Family - Attack Helicopter (Iran)
- J-20B Mighty Dragon - Multirole Fighter (China)