The Dhruv has high military capabilities for heliborne assault, logistic support, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and training. It can even be used as air observation post. it's designed to fulfill the requirement of both military and civil operations. The civil variant of Dhruv carries forward the ruggedness of the military variant. It will carry six passengers in the executive version and twelve in the passenger version.
The Dhruv was originally powered by a pair of TM333-2B turbo shafts developing 746 kW (1000 shp) from Turbomeca of France. This was later switched to the LHTEC CTS800-4N turbo shaft (from the then Allied Signal of USA - now Honeywell) developing 970 kW (1300 shp). The more powerful CTS800-54 turbo shaft developing 1235 kW (1656 hp) was offered as an possibility. but these engines were embargoed by the US, for imposing sanctions on India for her nuclear tests in may 1998. Connections were re-established with Turbomeca and the TM333-2B2 engine was selected, developing 825 kW (1100 shp) at take-off, with growth potential to 900 kW (1200 shp) for subsequent versions and features full authority digital electronic control(FADEC).
