After a extended wait, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday, Feb 4, 2021 received a Request for Proposal from Indian Air Force for their Basic Trainers. On the side lines of the ongoing 13th edition of Aero-India 2021, the documents had been received by CMD of HAL R Madhavan, CMD, from Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, DCAS and VL Kantha Rao, DG (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence.
What does the RFP say?
It is for 70 Basic Trainers, with an more clause for 38 more. The production of these trainers will be at the manufacturing facilities situated in Bengaluru and Nashik.
According to HAL the indigenous content will be about 60 per cent and will be supported by different agencies which includes as Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Regional Director Aeronautical Quality Assurance (RDAQA), and Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and other people.
This is the initially time ever in the aircraft market that an RFP has been issued inside six years of the initially flight. “The certification will be given against the Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements (PSQR),” mentioned a statement issued by HAL.
Earlier in the day, throughout media interaction, the HAL CMD had mentioned “Initially the aircraft will be made at the Bengaluru facility where it was designed. And then it will move to the Nashik facility for series production.”
Adding, “The initial number is 70. We are looking at an order of 106 trainers.”
In 2019, the chief of Indian Air Force ACM RKS Bhadauria had gone for a spin in HTT-40 fundamental trainer aircraft (TSR002), the aircraft he flew in was the second prototype.
TheSpuzz Online has reported earlier that the indigenous HTT-40 falls below the category of “Indian designed, developed and manufactured” (IDDM) gear of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP-2016).
So far, the Basic Trainer has currently cleared all Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQR) so far.
A fundamental fixed-wing aircraft has been made and created by HAL. The aircraft which is appropriate for the IAF officers who are finding out how to fly will be powered by Honeywell turbo-prop engine TPE-331-12B.
In light of controversy which surrounded the Swiss aircraft-maker Pilatus, no adhere to on orders could be placed.
To give a increase to the Made in India initiative, quickly following taking more than as the IAF Chief ACM RKS Bhadauria had announced that the IAF is searching for indigenous trainer aircraft.
In a brief span of 5 years, the aircraft has completed all main tests and hot refuelling also has been demonstrated effectively on the aircraft with the engine operating.
Cost of the trainers
A best official of HAL stated that the estimated expense of these trainers to be constructed by HAL are comparable with other trainers offered globally. And the expense is dependent on the “life cycle cost or through life sustainment cost” and upkeep assistance for just about 3 decades.
The improvement of the HTT-40 was funded by the business itself which place in Rs 500 crore.
Timeline for delivery
Once the order is placed, the HAL plans to provide two HTT-40s in the initially year and then the numbers will go up to eight the next year and then by the third year 10 aircraft per year.
These aircraft will have the capability to be weaponised and could also be made use of for a reconnaissance function.