Bangalore: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is in talks with several domestic customers including Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Pawan Hans to sell the civil variant of Dhruv, its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

"We are talking to several domestic customers including ONGC and Pawan Hans," outgoing HAL Chairman N R Mohanty told reporters in Bangalore.

The 12-seater Dhruv received civil certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last year, and recently signed a deal to sell one helicopter to Israel for ferrying VIPs in the West Asian nation.

The home grown Dhruv, powered by a Turbomeca engine, had earlier this month set a world record by flying at an altitude of 27,000 feet in Ladakh over the Himalayas.

HAL has delivered over 25 Dhruv's to Indian Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard till now and exported two ALH's to Nepal.

Mohanty said HAL has submitted a project proposal for building an indigenous Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) to the Government and the firm hopes to build the all composite twin engine trainer cum combat aircraft in 39 months from the day the project is sanctioned.

"Our aim is to induct the Indian AJT by 2010 into the Air Force, when the last (66th) of the British Hawk is delivered," Mohanty, who retired as Chairman today (Nov 30, 2004) said.