India's first indigenous basic trainer aircraft, the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), made its successful maiden trial flight on Tuesday morning. The aircraft is manufactured by state-owned manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which has been tasked to deliver 70 basic trainer aircraft to fulfill the requirements of the Indian Air Force.
HTT-40 FIRST FLIGHT! Okay guys, HAL, please follow up QUICKLY. pic.twitter.com/skLtommPsT
— Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) May 31, 2016
Sources say the aircraft had a smooth take-off at around 8 a.m. and landed safely in Bengaluru. The cost of the HTT-40 project stands at around 54 million dollars.
Official sources told Sputnik that the HTT-40 took off and landed but more trials will be conducted. HAL Spokesperson Gopal Sutar says, "We are not saying much right now. They were all trials, when the flight takes off formally, we will confirm it."
Sources from HAL said that the HTT-40 aircraft will be formally unveiled within a fortnight, depending upon the availability of senior officials of Ministry of Defense & Indian Air Force for a formal ceremony.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a requirement for 183 basic trainer aircraft like the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II. At present IAF possesses 75 Swiss manufactured PC-7 Mk-II while the procurement of an additional 38 PC-7 MK II aircraft likely to be concluded in the current financial year (2016-17). The HTT-40 produced by HAL will fulfill the quota requirements.
According to sources, HAL is likely to build the first two HTT-40 in 2018 and then from 2020 onward 20 aircraft will be delivered every year. India also aims to export a weapon equppied version of HTT-40 to countries like Myanmar and various African nations.
