Extensive changes from the Dhruv were avoided to produce the Rudra with the express purpose of providing an indigenous armed helicopter faster than the LCH programme could do so.

Its primary customer is the Indian Army, who took delivery of the first pair of Rudra helicopters in February 2013, the same month in which the type attained Initial Operational Clearance (IOC).

[8] The Rudra features integrated sensors, weapons and an electronic warfare suite; it is also furnished with an upgraded version of the glass cockpit used in the HAL Dhruv Mk III.

The helicopter can be used in both unarmed and armed roles that include aerial reconnaissance, troop transport, anti-tank warfare and close air support.

Post-revision, the cost of the Rudra programme was reported to be Rs 710.29 Cr in April 2007; at this point, the scheduled completion date was stated to be July 2008.

Between 2012 and 2013, the Rudra underwent a series of flight trials on behalf of the Indian Navy; it was found that the helicopter was suitable for conducting coastal surveillance operations.

[15] On 4 February 2013, at the Aero India trade show, it was announced that the HAL Rudra Mk IV had achieved IOC,[16][17] and that a pair of helicopters had been handed over to the Indian Army.

[21] In April 2022, a planned $1.1 billion procurement of 48 Russian Mil Mi-17V-5 helicopters intended for the Indian Air Force (IAF), federal interior ministry, and various paramilitaries was scrapped amid an initiative to buy the locally-produced Rudra instead.