HAL’s HTT-40 Trainer for Indian Air Force:In a big boost to indigenous manufacturing of weapon systems and aircraft, a meeting of the Union Cabinet cleared the purchase of 70 basis trainer aircraft from the state owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The deal cleared by the Union Cabinet entails purchase of 70 HTT-40 Basic trainer aircraft at a cost of over $834 million (INR 6,800 crores).
The total value of order awarded to Bengaluru based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is Rs 6,828.36 crore. The HTT-40 trainer aircraft will be supplied over a period of six years.
India’s HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft
The HTT-40 is a turbo prop aircraft and is designed to have good low speed handling qualities and provide better training effectiveness.
This fully aerobatic tandem seat turbo trainer has air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot re-fueling, running change over and zero-zero ejection seats. The aircraft will meet the shortage of basic trainer aircraft of IAF for training of newly inducted pilots.
The procurement will include associated equipment and training aids including simulators. Being an indigenous solution, the Aircraft is configurable for upgrades to incorporate the futuristic requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
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HAL’s HTT-40 Trainer Aircraft.
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A self-reliant India in defence
The HTT-40 contains approx. 56% indigenous content which will progressively increase to over 60% through indigenisation of major components and subsystems.
According to officials, the HAL would engage Indian private industry, including MSMEs, in its supply chain. The procurement has the potential to provide direct employment to nearly 1,500 personnel and indirect employment for up to 3,000 people spread over more than 100 MSMEs.
“The acquisition of the HTT-40 provides fillip to the Indian Aerospace Defence ecosystem and boosts efforts towards a Atma Nirbhar Bharat (a self-reliant India),” said the Ministry of Defence.
*1 USD = 81.8415 INR.
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