📍New Delhi | 2 Sep, 2026, 9:28 PM
HAL IMRH: Indian multi-roll helicopter (IMRH) programme of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is required to be boosted. The costing committee for the design and development of IMRH has got an approval of Rs 13,500 crore. Whereas, now this offer can be placed in front of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The design development phase of the Indigenous Medium-lift helicopter of the 13 ton class will be accelerated if it is approved.
IMRH To be prepared for the needs of Indian Army and Indian Air Force. This Naval version will be a deck-based multi-roll helicopter (DBMRH) used on Indian Navy warships. While the new Aravali turboshaft engine can be applied.
HAL IMRH: 13 Ton Class IMRH
IMRH is being made a twin-engine medium-lift helicopter of around 13 tonnes of weight category. It will also be used to carry Tactical Truepe Carriage, VIP and VVIP Transport, Combat Search and Rescue, Casualty Evacuation, Special Operation, Commando Insertion and External Cargo in addition to delivering soldiers from one place to another.
This helicopter is being developed as the future replacement of the Mi-17 helicopter fleet of Indian Air Force and the current Russian origin of the Indian Army. This will give the Indian armed forces to the indigenous platform in the medium-lift category.
IMRH The Naval version of DBMRH will be about 12.5 ton category. This will make necessary changes for operation from ships. It will include folding rotor blades and such a tail boom design, allowing the helicopter to be placed within a limited space in the warship hanger. (HAL IMRH)
Focus on areas with height in design
Articulated main rotor with five blades in IMRH and four blade tail rotor can be applied. The diameter of the main rotor will be about 21.2 m.
An important purpose of this design is to achieve better lift and hover performance in areas with height. IMRH will carry out operation from about 6,000 to 6,700 meters in high-altitude areas such as Sichin and Ladakh.
The payload on the sea level will be about 4,500 kg. At a height of about 4,000 meters, the payload can be taken from 1,000 to 1,500 kg. Helicopters will also have four hardpoints for weapons, on which a total of about 1,600 kg of arms can be taken. (HAL IMRH)
Why is Aravali Engine the most important?
HAL and France Cleansing Helicopter Engines has signed a contract for developing Aravali Engine through its joint company Safahal Helicopter Engines Private Limited.
Aravali is being built a turboshaft engine of 3,500 to 4,000 shaft horsepower class. Since IMRH is a twin-engine helicopter, the total power will be significantly higher, consisting of both engines.
This engine is also to be used in Naval DBMRH with IMRH. Therefore the engine design, testing and integration with helicopter is directly connected to the projects of both platform.
The entire product of the engine in the contract of Saifhal includes Lifecycle. It includes responsibilities such as design, development, manufacturing, supply and lifecycle support. Proposed production can be carried out in the HAL facility located in Tumkuru. (HAL IMRH)
HAL has already been around 4,000 crore
HAL has already spent around 4,000 crores in the IMRH program. Now the proposed allocation of 13,500 crore is mainly for design and development phase.
Prototyping Rollout for IMRH and the first flight timetable is also associated with engine development. After the entire form of Aravali engine is fully prepared and certified, it can be done extensive flight testing by integrating the helicopter. (HAL IMRH)
Three Way Role For Navy
The Naval version of IMRH is being developed in accordance with different needs for the Indian Navy. Anti-Submersion Warfare for it i.e. ASW And the mission profile like Anti-Surface Warfare i.e. ASUW is being worked on.
In addition, a separate configuration is also required for roles like Special Operation and Airborne Early Warning i.e. AEW. The design of the ship-based operation will have to take into account the aspects associated with storage, deck handling, and marine environments. (HAL IMRH)
