Dubai/Bengaluru: In a landmark move set to elevate India’s rotary-wing operational safety to global benchmarks, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a strategic partnership with Germany’s HENSOLDT Sensors GmbH for the design transfer, manufacturing, and long-term capability development of an advanced Helicopter Obstacle Avoidance System (OAS) and Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) technology.
The agreement — signed at the high-profile Dubai Air Show 2025, one of the world’s premier defence and aerospace events — marks a major leap in India’s journey toward self-reliance in cutting-edge avionics.
The contract includes complete Transfer of Design, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and in-country manufacturing and repair capability, ensuring India’s full ownership of a critical helicopter safety technology.
The signing ceremony saw the formal exchange between Ravi Prakash, Executive Director (HAL-Korwa), and Eugen Maier, Head of Sales, Airborne Solutions at HENSOLDT, in the presence of senior leadership from both organizations including Ravi K, Director (Operations), HAL, and Andleeb Shadman, Head of HENSOLDT Business Development for India.
Breakthrough in helicopter safety technology
Only a select group of nations currently possess advanced LiDAR-based obstacle avoidance systems for helicopters — technology that dramatically enhances safety during low-visibility and complex terrain operations.
The HAL–HENSOLDT partnership ensures that India will now join this elite circle.
Dr. D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL, hailed the collaboration as a decisive moment thus: “This partnership will augment the indigenous ecosystem for the development of technologies for obstacle collision avoidance, including advanced Degraded Visual Environment systems. It ensures that India not only develops but also owns a LiDAR-based helicopter OAS — an advanced capability mastered by very few countries.”
Under this collaboration, teams from HAL and HENSOLDT will work jointly on design, manufacture, integration, and flight testing, paving the way for deployment across a range of current and future Indian helicopter platforms.
Boosting Atmanirbhar Bharat and export potential
The technology will be integrated into HAL’s helicopter portfolio — including the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) — enhancing their safety envelope during combat missions, high-altitude operations, and humanitarian or disaster-relief deployments.
Beyond domestic applications, the partnership positions India as a future export hub for helicopter OAS and DVE systems, tapping into global demand for safety-enhancing avionics.
A strategic milestone at a global stage
Unveiled at Dubai Air Show 2025 — a platform where next-gen aerospace innovations shape future battlefields — the agreement reflects HAL’s growing global footprint and India’s rising capability in high-precision avionics.
With this partnership, HAL not only strengthens its technological arsenal but also reinforces India’s ambition to emerge as a trusted global partner in defence technology development, manufacturing, and exports.
