Chile Shortlists HAL Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv

Chile has shortlisted Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter but there has been no decision as yet to buy the Indian-made Dhruv helicopters.

Chilean Army's Commander in Chief Gen Oscar Izurieta told India Strategic that Dhruv had indeed been shortlisted along with a couple of other machines but that the acquisition process was not yet over and no decision had yet been taken.

Chile has a requirement of 8 to 10 helicopters of the Dhruv type, he said, adding that trials were still on. Dhruv is built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Bangalore.

The HAL Dhruv is a multi-role advanced helicopter made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is currently being supplied to the Indian Armed forces (Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army); a civilian variant is also available. The type has been exported to Nepal and Israel, and is also currently being considered by Bolivia and Peru other than Chile. Specialised military variants include ASW machines and helicopter gunships

Gen Izurieta also said that Chile, India and Malaysia would form a Scorpene submarine club to help one another with training and spares to make the operations cost-effective. Chile has acquired two medium size Scorpenes from France, while Malaysia is buying three and India, six.