Indian Air Force To Procure 70 Indigenous HTT-40 Basic Trainers From LCA Tejas Maker HAL

Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to send a request for proposal (RFP) to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the indigenous Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) before the end of the year, reports Hindustan Times.

HT quoted anonymous senior air force officials as saying that the official process for the possible purchase of 70 locally produced basic trainers will be started within three months.

The HTT-40 is currently undergoing elaborate tests and some brutal trials are yet to be conducted. The aircraft will have to demonstrate that it is safe for rookie pilots and meets IAF’s exacting standards for trainer planes.

While the aircraft successfully completed the six-turn spin (towards the right) a few days ago, the test towards the left direction which is much more complicated, still remains. If the aircraft performs satisfactorily in tests, the production may begin by 2021. The IAF also made it clear that it doesn’t want piecemeal delivery.

“We would need at least 20 planes to begin training. According to our estimates, it will take HAL around four years to deliver that number,” another official was quoted as saying.

Currently, before they can fly fighter jets, rookie IAF pilots go through a three-stage training involving the Pilatus PC-7 MkII planes, Kiran trainers and finally the Hawk advanced jet trainers.

While the Kirans are approaching the end of their service life, the defence ministry suspended business dealings with Pilatus Aircraft Limited over alleged corruption and irregularities. This meant that while the Pilatus contract included a follow-on purchase of 38 more planes, IAF couldn’t invoke the clause. The order for additional planes could be sourced from HAL, said a fourth IAF official.