HAL hands over Tejas trainers, HTT-40 aircraft and Dhruv NG helicopters
HAL delivered two Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the IAF, and four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans, in a push for indigenous aerospace manufacturing.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over a fresh batch of indigenous aircraft and helicopters to the Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans Limited at a ceremony on Friday, in what the government described as a step forward in the country's push for self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing.
The event was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.
Under the deliveries, HAL handed the IAF two LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainer aircraft, completing the twin-seater deliveries under the FOC contract, and three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft, marking the start of deliveries under a 70-aircraft contract. Pawan Hans Limited received four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rajnath Singh said India is moving systematically towards self-reliance in defence, adding that the country has been manufacturing state-of-the-art equipment indigenously since the government began working with the core mantra of aatmanirbharta.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said the handover demonstrated the company's ability to develop and deliver platforms for diverse civil and defence requirements. He said the platforms reflect the depth of capability HAL has built over the years and the strength of the indigenous aerospace ecosystem supporting it.
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu said the certification and induction of the Dhruv NG into civil operations marked an important milestone for India's indigenous civil aviation ecosystem, calling it a reflection of the growing capability of Indian industry to develop and support advanced aerospace platforms for commercial use. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clear vision for Indians to travel in Made-in-India civilian aircraft.
The platforms
The LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainer is a lightweight, all-weather, multi-role 4.5-generation aircraft designed primarily to support the IAF's training requirements while retaining the ability to undertake fighter operations. It incorporates relaxed static stability, a quadruplex fly-by-wire flight-control system, carefree manoeuvring, an advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics and composite materials in the airframe.
The HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is an indigenously designed and developed basic trainer aircraft intended to meet the primary training needs of the Indian defence services. Designed by HAL's Aircraft Research and Design Centre, it is built around a proven turboprop engine and is meant to offer good low-speed handling and effective training. It features a modern cockpit and avionics suite and can perform aerobatics, general handling, instrument flying, navigation, night flying and close formation flying.
The Dhruv Next Generation is a HAL-designed and manufactured 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter. It has been developed to address demanding operating conditions in India and upgraded to meet the requirements of the global civil aviation market. Its features include a civil-certified glass cockpit, a modern avionics suite, advanced navigation systems and enhanced situational awareness, along with safety features such as crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks and a twin-engine configuration providing redundancy.