Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. on Saturday invited Indian private defence manufacturing companies to boost manufacturing of the civil version of the Dhruv helicopter under the ‘Transfer of Technology' contract.

At a workshop organised by Hindustan Aeronautics, Defence Manufacturing Secretary Ajay Kumar said that the private sector should grab the huge opportunity that a collaboration with HAL presents.

"Dhruv has a huge potential in domestic and global civil market, and with HAL as the original equipment manufacturer and licencor, the deal will benefit the Indian partners immensely and help develop the aerospace ecosystem in India," HAL Chief Managing Director R Madhavan said.

According to Madhavan, India needs at least 600 helicopters in the civil sector.

A Request for Quotation for manufacturing Dhruv helicopters was issued in April 2019. Under this deal, the selected Indian partner would also be required to provide support to the customers throughout the life of the product (20 years), thereby ensuring long-term business relationship, HAL said.