Defence Minister Confirms Livefist Report, Rings Death Knell For Intermediate Trainer

[sudhir007]

Livefist: Defence Minister Confirms Livefist Report, Rings Death Knell For Intermediate Trainer



Confirming a series of reports here on Livefist on devastating trouble for HAL's indigenous HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer, Indian defence minister Arun Jaitley today told Parliament that critical problems with the platform had forced the Indian Air Force to look for a foreign replacement. Here's the minister's full statement:

The IAF conducts intermediate stage of flying training for ab-initio pilots on the Kiran aircraft. These aircraft will complete their technical life over the next couple of years. HAL, which has been developing the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), as a replacement for the Kiran aircraft, has not so far been able to resolve critical wing and airframe Design & Development issues related to stall and spin. In order to meet the emergent situation created due to inordinate delay in the IJT project, IAF has already initiated the process for extending the technical life of the Kiran aircraft. The IAF has also initiated action to look for alternate options for the IJT.

The current situation is, in effect, a culmination of rumblings that Livefist reported in 2012. Plain bad news. For the IAF. For HAL. For indigenous industry.

 

[The A-5]

I don't see the need for an IJT while we have competent BTTs and AJTs, what we need now is a LIFT (for which we can
derive one from LCA twin-seat version).

 

[Abingdonboy]

Seriously what does the IAF need an IJT for now? It has the PC-7 Mk.2, HAWK MK.132 AJT and full mission simulators for all its new types. What it really should be focusing on is a supersonic LIFT (could even be based on the LCA for greater industrial benefits) and not the IJT that is redundant now with the trainers already in service,

A complete waste of resources IMHO...

 

[Echo_419]

Seriously what does the IAF need an IJT for now? It has the PC-7 Mk.2, HAWK MK.132 AJT and full mission simulators for all its new types. What it really should be focusing on is a supersonic LIFT (could even be based on the LCA for greater industrial benefits) and not the IJT that is redundant now with the trainers already in service,

A complete waste of resources IMHO...

Must be important or the IAF won't be looking for them

 

[Abingdonboy]

Must be important or the IAF won't be looking for them

In this case it seems like an outdated institutional mindset. The IJT requirement has been felt for so long that the IAF feels like it is necessary when they could easily do without it (as most AFs do).

 

[sudhir007]

Seriously what does the IAF need an IJT for now? It has the PC-7 Mk.2, HAWK MK.132 AJT and full mission simulators for all its new types. What it really should be focusing on is a supersonic LIFT (could even be based on the LCA for greater industrial benefits) and not the IJT that is redundant now with the trainers already in service,

A complete waste of resources IMHO...

Agree with you
pc7-mk-2 top speed around 400-450kmph and HAWK start around 700-800kmph there is no need completly waste of money

 

[SQ8]

Sad that the program hit a dead end. A local IJT might have given greater confidence in other projects.

 

[TheFlyingPretzel]

The current situation is, in effect, a culmination of rumblings that Livefist reported in 2012. Plain bad news. For the IAF. For HAL. For indigenous industry.

Plane bad news. For the IAF. For HAL.

Get it? Lol.

I hope the technologies employed or perfected while undertaking R&D on this program are put to good use elsewhere. Money matters.

 

[SQ8]

In this case it seems like an outdated institutional mindset. The IJT requirement has been felt for so long that the IAF feels like it is necessary when they could easily do without it (as most AFs do).

Not exactly, there is a speed bracket that is missing which other air forces do fill. The RAF does it, the IDF/AF does it.

Plane bad news. For the IAF. For HAL.

Get it? Lol.

the IAF will survive, for HAL and especially those associated with the project it will be a heart break.

 

[MilSpec]

If the report is true, then it is indeed shameful for HAL, there is no excuse for this.

 

[TheFlyingPretzel]

Not exactly, there is a speed bracket that is missing which other air forces do fill. The RAF does it, the IDF/AF does it.



the IAF will survive, for HAL and especially those associated with the project it will be a heart break.

And another significant amount of money gone to waste, which the CAG should consider auditing, promptly.