The Defence Minister inaugurated the third production line of the LCA Mk1A, and the second production line of the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), which is an indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft designed and developed by HAL for the IAF.

The maiden flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, manufactured at the third production line of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), took place on October 17 in Nashik in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Defence Minister also inaugurated the third production line of the LCA Mk1A, and the second production line of the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), which is an indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft designed and developed by HAL for the IAF.

The first two production lines of the LCA, and the first production line of the HTT-40, are located in Bengaluru.

he company initiated establishment of the third production line in order to fast-track delivery of LCA Tejas aircraft to the IAF.

The production line in Nashik has a capacity of eight aircraft per annum.

According to the company, with this third production line, HAL will achieve a total production capacity of 24 aircraft per year for LCA Mk1A. The third Line has resulted in creation of approximately 1,000 jobs, and development of more than 40 industry partners in and around Nashik, including in cities of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

With the additional production line, HAL can also target export of the aircraft to friendly countries, and will facilitate completion of export requirement at an enhanced production rate.

By the next two years, the company plans to expand capacity in Nashik up to 10 aircraft per annum by way of establishing an additional Assembly Jig Line, Tooling and Pre-installation Check facilities for Line Replaceable Units.

HTT-40

The HAL undertook design and development of the HTT-40 aircraft with its own funding to comply with IAF requirements. It flew the first prototype (PT1) in May 2016, and the second prototype (PT2) in May 2017.

The HTT-40 programme is a significant contributor to employment, particularly within India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. It is expected to create approximately 1,500 direct employment opportunities within HAL.

The company estimates that up to 3,000 indirect jobs will be generated across more than 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the supply chain.

As per the total flying requirements, IAF has an option for a follow-on procurement of additional 36 aircraft.

“As a cost-effective, indigenous trainer, the HTT-40 has potential for export to other countries, particularly nations with similar training needs,” HAL stated.

There was a fly past by the Su-30 Mki and a formation flight of the HTT-40 on the occasion.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)
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