Plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for their Basic Trainers requirement during the ongoing Aero India 2021. The documents were handed over to R. Madhavan, CMD, HAL by Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, DCAS and V. L. Kantha Rao, DG (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence. HTT-40 is a basic trainer aircraft, designed & developed by HAL for Indian Air Force.
The RFP is for 70 aircraft with an additional clause for 38 more. The certification will be given against the Program Compliance and Quality Review (PCQR). The production will take place at HAL’s two manufacturing units at Bengaluru and Nashik.
“The RFP has come within six years from the first flight of HAL which is the shortest time-line in aircraft industry. The trainer will have more than 60 percent indigenous content and is supported by agencies such as the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Regional Director Aeronautical Quality Assurance (RDAQA), Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and others,” says a Ministry of Defence release.
On 11 AUG 2020, the Indian government had approved the acquisition of HTT-40 trainers. “With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF, stated the MoD release.