Arup Raha: HTT-40 trainers in IAF soon

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct “large numbers” of the indigenous Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) basic trainers and that will do much to boost opportunities in the aviation sector, especially for domestic companies, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said at an aerospace seminar on Thursday.

The indigenous content on HTT-40 is reported to be 80 per cent with about 75 plus systems out of the total 90 on the aircraft sourced from local players and sister divisions of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Weighing about 2,800 kg, the HTT-40 aircraft has a turbo prop engine and there is a provision to include weapons for the trainer aircraft.

Defence sources said the IAF has committed to purchasing at least 70 of these aircraft, which will be used for the first stage training for all flying cadets of the three services.

The aircraft is aimed at being used for the first stage training of all flying cadets of the three services.

Air Chief Raha also said maintenance and rehaul facilities of aircraft and its engines is still in infancy in India and it needs to grow. He said the private sector should get into it.

The detailed design phase of HTT-40 was launched in August 2013 with HAL’s internal funding and was completed in May 2015 and from there it has taken 12 months to fly the first prototype.

While the HTT-40 programme was almost junked during the UPA rule, defence minister Manohar Parrikar pursued both the IAF and HAL to ensure development of the trainer.

IAF had blocked funding for the HTT-40 by telling the defence ministry that the aircraft would be “too expensive, heavy and that it will not meet their need”.

IAF had backed a Swiss trainer, the Pilatus PC-7 Mark II.