Government approves purchase of 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft from HAL for IAF

Tags: Defence

The Union Cabinet has approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force at a cost of Rs 6,828.36 crore.

An overview of the news:

• These aircraft are to be supplied by HAL over a period of next six years.

• The HTT-40 is a turbo prop aircraft and is designed to provide good low speed handling qualities and improved training effectiveness.

• Fully aerobatic this one-seat turbo trainer in the rear has an air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot re-fuelling, running change over and zero-zero ejection seat.

• The aircraft will bridge the shortfall of basic trainer aircraft of the IAF for training newly inducted pilots.

• The purchase will include associated equipment and training aids, including simulators.

• Being an indigenous solution, the aircraft can be upgraded to incorporate the future requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.

• The HTT-40 has approximately 56 per cent indigenous content which will increase to over 60 per cent through indigenization of major components and sub-systems. HAL will involve Indian private industry including MSMEs in its supply chain. The procurement is likely to provide direct employment to around 1,500 personnel and indirect employment to 3,000 people spread across more than 100 MSMEs.