HAL’s basic trainer aircraft project still on: Antony

[1nd1a]

Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday the basic trainer aircraft (BTA) project of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) “is still on” and theIndian Air Force has not sought more Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 Mark II basic trainers.

Answering queries from media persons about IAF “favouring” Pilatus over state-run HAL’s HTT-40 trainer, which is still under development, Antony said that the project to build the BTA was being pursued.

“As far as the ministry is concerned, that project is still on,” he said.

Antony was talking to media persons after launch of launch of the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant here.

Asked about the IAF wanting more Pilatus aircraft, he said the proposal had not come to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

“When it comes to the DAC, (we) will discuss and take appropriate decision,” he said.

Informed sources said Indian Air Force had written to the defence ministry in July highlighting that several of HAL projects – the Light Combat Aircraft for the IAF and the Navy, the Intermediate Jet Trainer, the Light Combat Helicopter, and the Light Utility Helicopter – had been facing cost escalations and time overruns.

The sources said IAF was also keen that defence ministry allows it to exercise its option for ordering 38 more Pilatus PC-7s and give clearance for more aircraft if need arose.

The IAF inducted the first of its 75 Pilatus PC-7s in May. The approval for purchasing the aircraft was accorded last May.

HAL’s basic trainer aircraft project still on: Antony | idrw.org

This is the right move....someday Pilatus aircrafts will retire and again we will go back to square 0 where we have to import some other aircraft instead if we have HTT-40 ready now and atleast in some numbers in IAF we just have to keep upgrading it.....

 

[Nishan_101]

Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday the basic trainer aircraft (BTA) project of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) “is still on” and theIndian Air Force has not sought more Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 Mark II basic trainers.

Answering queries from media persons about IAF “favouring” Pilatus over state-run HAL’s HTT-40 trainer, which is still under development, Antony said that the project to build the BTA was being pursued.

“As far as the ministry is concerned, that project is still on,” he said.

Antony was talking to media persons after launch of launch of the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant here.

Asked about the IAF wanting more Pilatus aircraft, he said the proposal had not come to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

“When it comes to the DAC, (we) will discuss and take appropriate decision,” he said.

Informed sources said Indian Air Force had written to the defence ministry in July highlighting that several of HAL projects – the Light Combat Aircraft for the IAF and the Navy, the Intermediate Jet Trainer, the Light Combat Helicopter, and the Light Utility Helicopter – had been facing cost escalations and time overruns.

The sources said IAF was also keen that defence ministry allows it to exercise its option for ordering 38 more Pilatus PC-7s and give clearance for more aircraft if need arose.

The IAF inducted the first of its 75 Pilatus PC-7s in May. The approval for purchasing the aircraft was accorded last May.

HAL’s basic trainer aircraft project still on: Antony | idrw.org

This is the right move....someday Pilatus aircrafts will retire and again we will go back to square 0 where we have to import some other aircraft instead if we have HTT-40 ready now and atleast in some numbers in IAF we just have to keep upgrading it.....

As we have seen that IAF doesn't want that and if not wrong then IAF is looking to hit a deal with Swiss to buy another batch of 150 PC-21 Platius and also they are looking in to IJTs too as They also need it in good numbers like 200+. Although the HAL assembled Hawks have produced some problems but I am sure that IAF is quite happy with those trainers that are being made in EU...

Just elaborate that:
How many PC-21s have been acquired and how many more are required?

How many IJTs does IAF required and what are the available options?

How many Hawks have been acquired and options available??

 

[anant_s]

in the end, we'll find IAF accepting IJT and HAL ditch its HTT project so that both can save their face. This Indian v/s Imported hardware has become a game of ego clashes, something both parties could have done without. The sad part of all this however is that we will end up compromising with lives of trainee pilots. IMHO if govt wants to keep funding HAL projects, so be it but allow IAF to pursue what it percieves as priority.
I think we would all agree, that given a painfull choice, we'll pick pilots safety over tax payers money anyday.

 

[Tshering22]

As we have seen that IAF doesn't want that and if not wrong then IAF is looking to hit a deal with Swiss to buy another batch of 150 PC-21 Platius and also they are looking in to IJTs too as They also need it in good numbers like 200+.

It is PC-7s actually. PC-21s are a different breed altogether.

IAF may have to eventually accept HTT-40s when they start being built.

After making Tejas, it shouldn't be a difficult task at all; UNLESS bureaucracy threatens again, which hopefully might change for the good.

Although the HAL assembled Hawks have produced some problems but I am sure that IAF is quite happy with those trainers that are being made in EU...

Yeah Hawks are really good. But IAF has had issues in the past with BAE. It is not like they are 100% delivering all the time.

 

[Black Eagle 90]

It is PC-7s actually. PC-21s are a different breed altogether.

IAF may have to eventually accept HTT-40s when they start being built.

After making Tejas, it shouldn't be a difficult task at all; UNLESS bureaucracy threatens again, which hopefully might change for the good.



Yeah Hawks are really good. But IAF has had issues in the past with BAE. It is not like they are 100% delivering all the time.

If not wrong then IAF might require:

200-250+ PC-7s
160-180+ IJTs
100-140+ AJTs

Tell me what are the available options for IAF if consider for IJTs and AJTs from EU and Russia???

 

[Tshering22]

If not wrong then IAF might require:

200-250+ PC-7s
160-180+ IJTs
100-140+ AJTs

Tell me what are the available options for IAF if consider for IJTs and AJTs from EU and Russia???

Well, if HTT project is approved, then consider IJT-36 also confirmed within this decade.

So our expected final composition will be something of a zoo:

Basic trainers: PC-7s and HTT 40s. (the numbers you said)
IJTs: IJT-36 which is still tested but will join us in this decade.
AJT: More BAE Hawks probably.

IAF was offered Yak-130 but we went ahead with more Hawks because they're good and any more diversification will be a logistical nightmare.

 

[Black Eagle 90]

Well, if HTT project is approved, then consider IJT-36 also confirmed within this decade.

So our expected final composition will be something of a zoo:

Basic trainers: PC-7s and HTT 40s. (the numbers you said)
IJTs: IJT-36 which is still tested but will join us in this decade.
AJT: More BAE Hawks probably.

IAF was offered Yak-130 but we went ahead with more Hawks because they're good and any more diversification will be a logistical nightmare.

Still 100 Yak-130 and 100 Hawks can better train IAF pilots. Also IAF should try to choose single or two types of IJTs as IJT-36 will going to have problems to many years to come...