IDN TAKE: HAL's HTT-40 Trainer To Fly Soon

[Zarvan]

IDN has learnt that HAL's HTT-40 had completed high-speed taxi trials last week, in which it accelerated to the presribed take-off speed limits. If this test does take place it will be a victory of sorts for HAL. IAF had blocked funding for the aircraft, astonishingly contending that it would be too expensive to buy and operate, but upon investigation by defence ministry's internal agencies it was found that the Pilatus PC-7 trainer was imported (in a controversial deal) costing the exchequer a whopping 557 million Swiss Francs (around Rs. 3,772 crore at current exchange rates), several crores more than the HTT-40 trainer would have cost the IAF to buy and operate.

Just as in the case of LCA Tejas which the IAF was systematically trying to scuttle with some canny ruse or the other, the HTT-40 would have faced a similar fate but for the personal intervention of Defence Minister Parrikar's. His remarkable effort saved these projects from being killed and have kept it afloat, thus pumping the much needed impetus on the part of the government to accelerate and sustain the projects.

The basic trainer project was strongly backed by HAL. The IAF had blocked funding the HTT-40, falsely feeding the defence ministry with blatant lies that the aircraft would be too expensive to buy and operate. HAL however continued funding the aircraft with its internal monetary resources to the tune of more than Rs. 300 crores and kept the project ongoing.

The HTT-40, like the Pilatus trainer, is a propeller-driven, turbo-prop aircraft for training of rookie pilots.

Admin - IDN

 

[Bossman]

for what purpose? IAF needs have already been met by PC-7 imported from Switzerland

 

[FNFAL]

for what purpose? IAF needs have already been met by PC-7 imported from Switzerland

All aircrafts have a air time worthiness lifetime. As they near that deadline, they are most repair intensive, costly to operate and put life of pilots in danger.
IF you have a home grown solution readym its a no brainer. Plus as seen with our helicopter line, you always have the possibility of pitching in for external sale.

 

[cloud_9]

So why is HAL fragmenting it's resources!Are there any confirmed customer?