Not very long ago, scepticism surrounding the HTT-40 was widespread. I remember former Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne recommending that the IAF procure 106 Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft instead.
Delivery completes the two separate Tejas Mk1 orders placed by the IAF in 2006 and 2010. 83-unit MK1A order faces GE F404 engine bottleneck and other issues identified by IAF.
The 13-tonne helicopter programme is strategically important as the Indian military still depends heavily on Russian-origin Mi-17 family for medium-lift operations.
It is reliably learnt that Airbus, which had initially offered its A400M, is likely to sit it out since its aircraft outweighs requirements with payload capacity of 37 tonnes.
HAL has lodged an FIR. The private company had also previously supplied bigger components for other aerospace projects, including the Sukhoi fighter fleet and Dornier aircraft.
Defence minister helmed a review meeting of HAL projects which was attended by CDS Gen N S Raja Subramani, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, CMD of HAL Ravi Kota and others.
Going by current timeline, five prototypes of India’s own 5th-gen fighter are set to be rolled out by 2031. The 1st prototype is expected to be rolled out by 2029 using GE F414 engine.
Not very long ago, scepticism surrounding the HTT-40 was widespread. I remember former Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne recommending that the IAF procure 106 Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft instead.
Move effectively doubles last year’s 10 percent cut to the 800-odd general and flag officer positions; targets ‘redundant force structure’ and refocus on frontline soldiers.
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