Few days back The defence ministry approved the purchase of military equipment worth Rs 8,722 crore, including 106 locally made basic trainer aircraft, for the Indian Air Force to provide a push to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (self-reliant India movement), a defence ministry spokesperson said. The aircraft cost is around 35cr. which is too low compare to other trainer aircraft.
The HTT-40 first flew in 2016 after its design process kicked off in. Intended to replace the HPT-32 Deepak, its future was placed in doubt when the IAF opted for a Rs 2,900 crore deal for 75 Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 trainers. Development of the HTT-40 continued, however, while the IAF in 2019 abandoned plans to purchase 38 additional PC-7s following corruption allegations and a CBI probe into the deal.
India’s purchase of 106 HTT-40 turboprop-powered junior trainer aircraft for use and teaching by Indian Air Force flight cadets. The Indian government’s press service (PIB) announced on August 11, India’s Ministry of Defense Procurement Committee (DAC) agreed to the HTT-40 trainer aircraft after the certification, the purchase of the first batch of 70 HTT-40 junior trainer aircraft. Once the Indian Air Force starts using the first HTT trainer aircraft, it is expected to receive 36 more two-seat HTT-40 trainer aircraft thereafter.
HTT-40 junior trainer is powered by Honeywell’s TPE331-12B turboprop engine, is India’s own development of a junior trainer aircraft, but the HTT-40 prototype after a six-year delay, only in June 2016 after the first test flight, and until 2020, the aircraft has not yet entered mass production status. However, the Western media believe that this junior trainer should be the only advanced model that India can take, because in Asia, the new single propeller engine-based military junior trainer market, has been a long time no new products, in addition to the KT-1 developed in South Korea, HTT-40 junior trainer far better than KT-1 with latest technology and avionics, it can be ranked to the leading level in Asia.
Reported that the HTT-40 junior trainer is intended to replace the HAL designed HPT-32 junior trainer aircraft, the class in July 2009 due to repeated accidents and suspension. India’s development of the HTT-40 junior trainer aircraft is also intended to complement the 75 Pilatus MkII junior trainer aircraft that have served in the Indian Air Force since 2013.
Specifications (HTT-40)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10.5 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
- Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 1.75 in)
- Gross weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 450 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop, 834 kW (1,100 shp) derated to 708 kW (950 shp)
- Propellers: 4-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 400 km/h (249 mph, 216 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 450 km/h (279 mph, 243 kn)
- Range: 1,000 km (621 mi, 540 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
- g limits: +6/-3
Armament
- Can be armed with a gun, rockets and bombs