NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved 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. The aircraft will be supplied over a period of six years.
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-fuelling, running change over and 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 armed forces.
The HTT-40 contains approximately 56 per cent indigenous content which will progressively increase to over 60 per cent through indigenisation of major components and subsystems. HAL would engage private companies, including MSMEs, in its supply chain. The procurement has the potential to provide direct employment to approximately 1,500 personnel and indirect employment for up to 3,000 people spread over more than 100 MSMEs.
The Cabinet has also accorded approval to sign a contract with Larsen & Toubro for acquisition of three cadet training ships, at a cost of Rs 3,108.09 crore. These ships will cater to training of officer cadets, including women, at sea after their basic training to meet the future requirements of the Indian Navy
