HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, on Wednesday, approved the procurement of and 70 HTT-40 indigenous trainer aircraft and three cadet-training ships worth ₹10,000 crore, aimed to give a boost to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative in the defence-manufacturing sector.
Seventy HTT-40 trainer aircraft worth ₹6,828.36 crore
The Cabinet has approved procurement of 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft from the state-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force at a cost of ₹6,828.36 crore.
The aircraft will be supplied over a period of six years.
The HTT-40 is a turboprop aircraft and is designed to have good low speed handling qualities and provide better training effectiveness. This fully aerobatic tandem-seat turbo trainer has airconditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot refuelling, running changeover, 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.
Three cadet-training ships worth ₹3,108.09 crore
Apart from the HTT-40s, the Cabinet has accorded approval to sign a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for acquisition of three cadet-training ships at an overall cost of ₹3,108.09 crore for the Indian Navy. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from 2026.
On these ships, the cadets, including women cadets, can be trained at sea after their basic training to meet the future requirements of the Navy. The ships would also provide training to cadets from friendly countries with the aim to strengthen diplomatic relations.
These ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.
