New Delhi, June, 24, 2005 (IANS)

State-run energy major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has ordered three Dhruv helicopters worth over Rs.1 billion ($22.9 million) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The Dhruv is the first home-grown helicopter developed by HAL, which recently entered into an agreement with France's aviation major Snecma to develop engines for helicopters and jets.

This was the second order from India for the civil version of Dhruv, the military variant of which is already in service with the army, navy, air force and Coast Guard.

HAL will deliver the three helicopters to ONGC in the next few months, a HAL spokesman said in Bangalore. "The helicopters will be used for ONGC's onshore and offshore operations in the country," he said.

Earlier this year, HAL received an order for two Dhruv helicopters from the Jharkhand government. The Karnataka government too has entered into an agreement with HAL to lease a Dhruv helicopter for VIP flights.

"These major orders prove the excellent capability, reliability and maintainability of Dhruv in a civilian role," the spokesman said.

The Dhruv helicopter was showcased by HAL at the recent Paris Air Show.

HAL has also entered an agreement with Israel Aircraft Industries to jointly market the helicopter around the world. The Dhruv has also been demonstrated by India and Israel to the armed forces of Chile.

Designed and developed with consulting support from Germany's European Deutschland (formerly MBB), the twin-engine, 5.5-tonne Dhruv can fly at high altitudes and possesses sea level high lift capability, besides high-speed performance.

Preliminary surveys by HAL indicate a global requirement for about 600 helicopters in this class.

The defence ministry has endorsed a letter of intent placed by the three services with HAL for delivery of 300 helicopters by the end of the current decade. The army and air force will require about 120 each, and the remaining will go to the navy.