(NSI News Source Info) BANGALORE - January 30, 2009: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which will be showcasing wide array of its Research and Development (R&D) capabilities along with current and new products during Aero India 2009 will hand over a Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to the Ecuadorian Air Force.
HAL which has bagged a contract to supply seven ALHs to the South American country will hand over its first chopper during the biennial airshow which is to be held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, from February 11 to 15.
Sources said that the Bangalore- based defence public sector undertaking, which clinched the $51 million deal with Ecuador to supply seven of its 5.5 tonne class helicopter will supply the first Dhruv during the airshow. 
The HAL Dhruv is a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is being supplied to the Indian Armed Forces, and a civilian variant is also available. The type was first exported to Nepal and Israel, and is on order by several other countries for both military and commercial uses. Specialized military variants include anti-submarine warfare and helicopter gunship versions.
Foreign sales: In June 2008, the government of *Peru ordered two air ambulance Dhruvs for use by the Peruvian health services. Peru has also shown interest in the military version Dhruv. HAL also secured an order from the *Ecuadorian Air Force for seven Dhruvs. HAL has gained this order amidst strong competition from Elbit, Eurocopter and Kazan. HAL’s offer of $ 50.7 million for seven helicopters was about 32% lower than the second lowest bid from Elbit. The first helicopter will be delivered within six months. Dhruv also participated in a Chilean tender for 8-10 5.5 tonne, twin engined new generation helicopter, but lost to the Bell Helicopters Bell 412 amid allegations of arm-twisting by the US Government. The evaluation included flights at high altitudes, hot and desert conditions, ship deck landing, search and rescue at 12,500 ft MSL at a temperature of 2°C as well as long distance ferry flights, clocking 107 flying hours. *On August 10, 2008 HAL chairman confirmed it had finalized a deal with Turkey to supply 3 Dhruvs for $20 million. Turkey is planning to buy as many as 17 helicopters in medical assistance role. *India is also reportedly planning to transfer several Dhruvs to Myanmar. This led to protests from Amnesty International, who pointed to the use of components sourced from European suppliers as a possible violation of the EU Arms Embargo of Myanmar. In a letter to the President of the EU Council of Ministers, Amnesty stated that it had evidence that India planned to transfer two Dhruvs (with European components) to Burma. These reports have been denied by the Indian Government. *HAL is negotiating with Bolivia for delivery of five Dhruvs and with *Venezuela for seven of the choppers in transport roles, and in Europe. The Dhruv is also being offered to *Malaysia. *Indonesia is also evaluating Dhruv helicopters for the Indonesian Army. *Flight certification for Europe and North America is also being planned, in order to tap the large civilian market there.
“HAL will hand over one ALH and will line up five brand new ALH choppers during Aero India as per the contract signed with the Ecuador Aviation Authority,” said sources. The deal envisages the supply of seven helicopters in semi knock-down conditions to Ecuador in a time-frame of 15 months to two years. HAL bagged the order from the South American country last year after fierce bidding, which also involved Israel firm Elbit, Eurocopter, subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company’s, Kazan, Russia.
“A team from HAL has already visited Ecuador and a team from there has visited our facilities to gain first hand expertise. The HAL will also set up a base at Ecuador for maintenance of the ALHs,” said sources.
During Aero India, the aircraft and helicopters of HAL that would be on display are : one Hawk in flying display, Intermediate Jet Trainer, ALHs (one in flying display, one with glass cockpit in static display and one civil ALH) and one DO-228 in Maritime Reconnaissance and Intelligence Warfare (MRIW) role.
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