An HTT-40. (Photo via Twitter)
Gandhinagar: The Indian Air Force and state-owned aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a deal to procure 70 India-made Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 trainer jets worth ₹6,800 crore, on Thursday. This comes a day after the prime minister, Narendra Modi, unveiled the HTT-40 during the ongoing 12th edition of DefExpo here.
According to media reports, HAL would start delivering the trainer jets in three years. The HTT-40 will replace the ageing fleet of HAL HPT-32 Deepak trainers that the IAF currently uses for training pilots.
The HAL came up with the HTT-40 programme when the IAF said it required 181 trainer aircraft. However, due to prolonged delays, the IAF had to order 75 PC-7 Mk II turboprop trainers from Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus to meet its urgent requirements over a decade ago.
The HTT-40 would be fitted with a turbofan engine, which will be acquired from the US-based Honeywell Aerospace. It will have over 60 per cent of indigenous components.
