Subhechcha Ganguly 
Over the past 20 years, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has released three light category helicopters that were conceived and manufactured locally. All eyes are on the development of the medium lift category Indian Multirole Helicopter (IMRH) to replace the fleets of the Air Force’s workhorse Mi-17 and other helicopters with the Indian armed forces which will start phasing out over the coming decade. India’s first indigenous dedicated attack helicopter Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) has reached the induction phase.
Over the past 20 years, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), a state-owned aerospace company, has released three light helicopters under 10 tonnes in weight that were designed and produced locally. These include the LCH, the weaponized ALH Rudra, and the 5 tonne class Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. Additionally, it has created a 3 tonne class Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which was primarily created to replace the heritage helicopters Chetak and Cheetah of French origin. The next logical step is a made-in-India medium lift helicopter in the 13 tonne category, known as the IMRH, after successful indigenous development of the 3 tonne and 5 tonne helicopters.
The Ministry of Defense designated 18 significant strategic platforms for industry-led design and development in the nation on March 11. These 18 important platforms have been designated for research and development under various avenues in accordance with the announcement made in the Union Budget 2022–23 that 25% of the defence research and development budget will be earmarked for industry–led effort.
The IMRH is included as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) on the list. Under this strategy, the private sector will be pushed to take on platform design and development in partnership with various governmental agencies. In the event that the government approves, the HAL will work with private parties to carry out the IMRH project.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the necessity to build and develop the IMRH when speaking on April 2 to commemorate the 60 years that Chetak helicopters have been in service. He claimed that the IMRH is a vital demand for the armed services and has a sizable market potential. Additionally, he urged the nation to expedite the design and development of helicopter technology, referring to it as one of the dual-use technologies.
The Defence Minister claimed that not only would this prove to be a significant strategic asset in the defence industry, but it will also establish India as a major player in the world helicopter market. “We must work to boost India’s position in the rotary wing field. The period is evolving. I have no doubt that we will become more intelligent, powerful, and totally independent in the future.
