India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has launched the metal cutting for series production of Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) basic trainer aircraft (BTA) HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft) at its Nasik Division.
On May 22, Saket Chaturvedi, CEO (MiG Complex) formally initiated the programme in the presence of senior officials from Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Indian Air Force (IAF) and HAL.
India’s Cabinet Committeee on Security (CCS) approved the purchase of 70 HTT-40 aircraft in March 2023. The IAF will receive the first batch of two trainers within 20 months, followed by eight and then 20 aircraft annually. These turboprop aircraft will be procured at a cost of INR 6,828 crore ($800 million) over a period of six years.