Indian Air Force Aircraft - The F-21 provides unmatched opportunities for Indian companies of all sizes, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and suppliers throughout India, to establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin and other industry leaders in the US and around the globe.
The Indian Government has approved the procurement of 70 'HTT-40' variant basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of more than Rs.6800cr. Built by India's government-run aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the aircraft would be delivered over a period of six years.
Indian Air Force Aircraft
The aircraft which has been selected by the IAF is the CTSW, manufactured by Flight Design, Germany. land at short and rough fields, and is made of advanced composite materials. It has a 'Dynon' EFIS-EMS glass cockpit, two Garmin GPSs, SATCOM, 'Tru Trak' autopilot, Mode S transponder.
The F-21 is an unprecedented ‘Make in India’ opportunity ─ combining the strength of Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor, and Tata, India's premier industrial house, to deliver a historic win-win for the US and India.
An expedition of this nature requires peak physical fitness. Both pilots have been following a carefully designed program of aerobic conditioning and strength training. The pilots have lost weight, which is an added bonus as more useful load can be carried.
To fulfill this order, HAL would engage Indian private industry, including Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), in its supply chain and this procurement is said to have the potential to provide direct employment to 1,500 personnel and indirect employment for up to 3,000 individuals in more than 100 MSMEs.
In terms of specifications and features, the HTT-40 is a twin-seater, fully aerobatic turboprop aircraft with a fully air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics etc. running) and is equipped with zero-zero ejection seats (which enable ejections at low speeds and low altitudes, even in ground mishaps).
The highly experienced crew were sent to the aircraft manufacturer in Germany for conversion. Apart from this they were exposed to IFR route flying in Dornier 228. Prior to commencing the expedition, they would also do long range and over sea flying in the CTSW within India .
The F-21 addresses the Indian Air Force's unique requirements and integrates India into the world's largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the world's pre-eminent defense company. Lockheed Martin and Tata would produce the F-21 in India, for India.
The procurement will include the 70 aircraft, their associated equipment and training aids including simulators. Being an indigenous solution, the aircraft is said to be configurable for upgrades to incorporate the futuristic requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. cent indigenous content, which will progressively increase to over 60 per cent through the indigenization of major components and subsystems.
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