The Public Sector Aviation Manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), today handed over Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas Final Operational Clearance Twin Seater Trainers and HTT 40 Basic Trainer Aircraft to the Indian Air Force in Bengaluru today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the handing-over ceremony.
HAL handed over two Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas Final Operational Clearance Twin Seater Trainer aircraft, to the Indian Air Force. It also handed over four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited, a public sector undertaking. HAL also handed over the first HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The Defence Minister named the aircraft ‘Ankur’.
The government had placed an order for 16 LCA fighter aircraft and four twin-seater aircraft in FOC configuration in 2010. HAL plans to deliver 29 MK1A twin-seater LCA aircraft to the Indian Air Force by 2033-34. The induction of Dhruv Next Generation helicopters marks their entry into the civil aviation sector. It is India’s first indigenously produced civil helicopter to meet AS-4 requirements. This makes it suitable for civilian roles, including offshore operations.
The HTT-40 expands to Hindustan Turbo Trainer 40 is an indigenously designed and developed basic trainer aircraft. It features a modern cockpit and avionics suite. HAL has a contract to supply 70 HTT-40 aircraft to the Defence Ministry.
