Dazzling events and showcases of various aviation and defense platforms appearing on the ground and in the air signal the end of Aero India.
Between exhibition programs, India’s primer state-owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received an official request for a proposal from the Indian Air Force to manufacture 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft, with the provision of procuring 38 more.
The Request For Proposal (RFP) was released between the ongoing fleet modernization and acquisition plan of IAF through domestic facilities before heading towards opening a massive $18 billion 114 Medium Combat Aircraft Tender, which is in final preparation.
The signed documents were handed over to R Madhavan, serving CMD of HAL, by Deputy Chief of Air Staff and Air Marshal Sandeep Singh and Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, VL Kantha Rao on February 4 during the second day of Aero India in Yelahanka Air Base, Bengaluru.
RFP was issued for HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft designed and developed by HAL to complement BAE Hawk-i of IAF, which are licensed and manufactured by HAL with Indian-specific customization. The RFP was completed within the span of six years after the first flight, which is the shortest in the aircraft industry, showing confidence in homemade options.
The certification for clearing aircraft production will be given against the Program Compliance and Quality Review (PCQR). The production of these aircraft will take place at two active manufacturing facilities of HAL in Bengaluru and Nashik simultaneously. Through this production phase, HAL will gear up opening a third facility in Bengaluru to allow for rapid manufacturing of Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft.
HTT-40 Trainer Aircraft will have 60% of Indigenous content housing the majority of domestically supplied sub equipment and line of instruments produced by small enterprises and partnered with HAL. HTT-40 was technically supported by various government institutions, like the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), Regional Director Aeronautical Quality Assurance (RDAQA), Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and various other engineering departments and establishments under the Indian Government.
IAF plans to establish an array of trainer aircraft to raise active combat pilots. The strength of pilots against the active fleet of aircraft is an important issue for IAF. With more trainer aircraft, IAF can get ready for an ever-increasing fleet of aircraft as planned by authorities.
