Dubai/Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a landmark contract with German defence electronics major HENSOLDT Sensors GmbH at the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2025. The agreement covers the Transfer of Design (ToT) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), including manufacturing and repair capabilities, for Obstacle Avoidance System (OAS) and Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) systems for helicopter platforms.
The contract was signed by Mr. Ravi Prakash, Executive Director (HAL-Korwa), and Mr. Eugen Maier, Head of Sales, Airborne Solutions, HENSOLDT, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Enhancing Helicopter Safety in Challenging Environments
The OAS and DVE systems are designed to significantly reduce the risk of helicopter crashes during low-visibility, low-altitude operations. Helicopter missions in India often operate in complex conditions, including the Himalayas, Northeast regions, dense urban areas, deserts, and coastal belts, where adverse weather and limited landing space pose operational challenges.
HENSOLDT highlighted that the systems provide real-time alerts for obstacles such as cables, towers, and ridgelines, ensuring enhanced situational awareness and reduced pilot workload during high-risk operations.
Advanced LiDAR Technology for Real-Time Terrain Awareness
The agreement enables HAL to indigenously develop and integrate LiDAR-based systems using HENSOLDT’s SferiSense fibre-scanner LiDAR, combined with DVE processors and synthetic-vision algorithms. These components generate a stabilized 3D view of the terrain and detect micro-obstacles over a kilometre away with sub-second alerts.
LiDAR technology ensures superior accuracy compared to traditional radar, particularly for threats like parallel cables and other challenging obstacles. The modular and scalable architecture complies with FACE and JCA standards, allowing integration across current and future Indian helicopter platforms, including unmanned variants.
Deep Technology Transfer and Sovereign Capability
Unlike conventional buyer-supplier arrangements, the HAL-HENSOLDT deal includes extensive technology transfer, enabling HAL to manufacture, integrate, and maintain the OAS domestically. HAL also retains export rights for systems equipped with this technology, positioning India as one of the few nations capable of developing sovereign LiDAR-based helicopter safety systems.
The partnership reduces dependence on foreign suppliers for critical avionics and strengthens India’s aerospace research and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Export and Strategic Implications
With global demand for advanced helicopter safety systems increasing, the programme supports India’s defence export ambitions, targeted at Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. Once certified, the OAS and DVE systems will be progressively integrated across India’s indigenous helicopter fleet, with provisions to upgrade sensors, computing capacity, and mission packages to meet evolving safety standards.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a leading Indian aerospace and defence company engaged in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft, helicopters, engines, and avionics. With decades of experience in indigenization and innovation, HAL plays a critical role in strengthening India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology and boosting defence export capabilities.
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