MANOHAR PARRIKAR TO REVIEW INDIGENOUS BASIC TRAINER PROJECT AS AIR FORCE SENDS OUT DISTRESS CALL

[Zarvan]

IJT SITARA -Basic errors in Design, inherent asymmetry prevents stall and spin trials. Aircraft rolls around 16 degrees, thereby foricng pilots to abort stall test

NEW DELHI: With the air force sending out a distress call over the dire shortage of trainer aircraft to coach pilots, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is reviewing the progress of an indigenous project that has been lagging behind time.

Sources tell ET that the HTT 40 program - a project by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop a new basic trainer for the air force and navy - is being viewed with great concern, given that the first flight of the aircraft has been delayed by a year to December 2015.

Parrikar will get a thorough briefing of the project at the high powered defence acquisition committee ( DAC) meeting on Tuesday by top HAL officials. This comes after the air force has raised concerns on the project which has a direct impact of its training schedule.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40

The sense of urgency has become even more intense with the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) program of HAL being virtually dumped as the aircraft has failed to meet spin recovery tests. At present, the air force relies of three aircraft for coaching pilots - a basic trainer, the intermediate jet trainer and an advanced training aircraft.

However, with the Kiran Mk II intermediate trainer set to retire in the next 2-4 years and the IJT program being dumped as a failure, the IAF has rejigged its program in a three stage, two aircraft plan. While at the higher end, the Hawk advanced trainer is available in adequate numbers, there is a severe shortage of basic trainers.

The air force had purchased 75 of the Pilatus PC 7 trainers in a fast track contract in May 2012 but the requirement is for 106 more. While a plan is being pursued to purchase another 38 of the PC 7s from Pilatus, the contract is stuck on pricing issues.

In March this year, the government scrapped an air force plan to order close to a hundred more PC 7s, firmly batting for the indigenous HTT 40 project. While the program is running behind time - the first flight was to be in January this y ear - the government is firm in its push for the desi trainer and reviews of the project at the top level are expected at frequent intervals from now on.

Manohar Parrikar to review indigenous basic trainer project as air force sends out distress call - The Economic Times

 

[Indian Patriot]

What is the so pressing need for indigenous items when it comes to national security? In 1999 should India have waited for indigenous 155mm artillery gun instead of using Bofors? How can the DRDO lobby be so blind and stupid?

 

[AyanRay]

What is the so pressing need for indigenous items when it comes to national security? In 1999 should India have waited for indigenous 155mm artillery gun instead of using Bofors? How can the DRDO lobby be so blind and stupid?

The year 1999 and Bofors are infact prime examples why indigenous is required. (Sanctions and Kick backs)

 

[Indian Patriot]

The year 1999 and Bofors are infact prime examples why indigenous is required. (Sanctions and Kick backs)

What was stopping DRDO to develop their own artillery gun? If not for Bofors, Mirage, Laser guided bombs which are all incidentally "phoren maal" you could kiss Kashmir good bye.

 

[surya kiran]

How can the DRDO lobby be so blind and stupid?

As usual, Farty has no idea. This is an HAL project. Not DRDO.

What was stopping DRDO to develop their own artillery gun?

Has been replied and explained by enough members, but FARTIE has memory loss of being taken from all angles!

 

[The Huskar]

What is the need for another Basic trainer.Aren't Navy and Air Force already operating Pilatus aircrafts.Can't understand the reason why HAL doesn't wants to take anything seriously.Why allot engineers to a inherently flawed aircraft when they can be used for faster induction of Tejas.