1. PM Modi unveils Hal’s indigenous trainer aircraft HTT-40
Tags: Defence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, an indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), at the India Pavilion during 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 19, 2022. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel were among those present on the occasion.
The HTT-40 would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close formation flights whereas its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying.
Earlier in the day the Prime Minister inaugurated the 12th DefExpo being held in Gandhinagar from 18-20 October 2022. The theme of the 12th DefExpo is Path to Pride Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
It is owned by the Government of India. It comes under the ministry of Defence.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
2. Defence Minister inducted first indigenously developed light combat helicopters into Indian Air Force in Rajasthan
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted the first indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH) named Prachand was inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF) at Jodhpur in Rajasthan on October 3.
Important facts
The LCH was inducted at an event in Jodhpur in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary.
The LCH is designed to promote the combat prowess of the Indian Air Force.
In March 2022, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had approved the purchase of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCHs at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore.
About Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)
It is a dedicated combat helicopter designed and developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Advanced Light Helicopter in LCH is similar to Dhruv.
It has several stealth features, armoured-protection system, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear.
The helicopter can be deployed for high-altitude bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in jungles and urban environments, as well as assisting military forces on the ground.
It has indigenized several key aviation technologies like glass cockpit and composite airframe structure.
It is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 meters or 16,400 feet with weapons that meet the specific requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
3. Indigenous Light Combat Helicopter to join IAF helicopter fleet in October
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Air Force helicopter fleet will be boosted with the induction of the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) at Jodhpur, Rajasthan on 3 October 2022. The LCH has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Capability of LCH :
- According to HAL, the LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 m (16400 feet) with a considerable load of weapons and fuel. It has been made to meet the requirement of the armed forces operating in the high altitude area of Ladakh and Siachen.
- It is suited to perform the roles of search and rescue, destruction of enemy air defence, counter insurgency operations, combat against slow moving aircraft etc.
Limited Series production :
- In March 2022 the Union Government had approved the manufacturing of 15 limited series LCH for the Army and the Air force .Of the 15 limited series production helicopters approved, 10 are for the IAF and five for the army.
- The light combat helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter. It has an indigenous content of 45% that will increase to more than 55% in the further series.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) :
- It was set up as Hindustan Aircraft Limited by Walchand Hirachand in 1940 at Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka.
- It was taken over by the government of India and merged with Aeronautics India limited and was renamed as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 1 October 1964.
- Its main business is to design, develop, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft, helicopters, engines and related systems like avionics, instruments and accessories.
- It comes under the Ministry of Defence.
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
