BENGALURU: Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya Thursday lauded defence PSU
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) and called its HTT-40, in which he flew a sortie at Aero India, a symbol of India’s self-reliance and technological prowess.
HTT-40
is an
indigenous trainer aircraft
.
“Flying the HTT-40 was an incredible experience. This aircraft is a testament to India’s engineering excellence and a shining example of how, with the right policy and support, our scientists and engineers can achieve anything,” he said.
Terming HTT-40 the pride of India and Bengaluru, he said it stands as a shining example of what the country can achieve with the right leadership and unwavering support for our scientific institutions. Taking a dig at the UPA government, Surya said HTT-40 represents India’s journey from scandal to self-reliance, from foreign dependency to Atmanirbharta.
“…In 2012, under the UPA, India procured Swiss Pilatus trainer aircraft through a Rs 3,000 crore deal. However, the procurement process was later riddled with irregularities, leading to a CBI inquiry in 2019, which revealed the involvement of middlemen in the deal. Consequently, Pilatus was blacklisted, leaving India in urgent need of an indigenous training aircraft,” Surya said.
The indigenous trainer programme, which had initially faced setbacks, gained momentum in 2014 under PM Modi’s administration and then-defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s guidance, he said, adding that HAL successfully developed the aircraft.
The HTT-40 features a four-bladed turbo-prop engine, glass cockpit, and advanced safety systems including a zero-zero ejection seat.
“This achievement is dedicated to the late Manohar Parrikar, whose vision for self-reliance in defence was instrumental in reviving the indigenous trainer programme. The HTT-40 was inaugurated by him and today, it stands as a symbol of India’s transformation in defense manufacturing,” Surya said.
The success of HTT-40 would not have been possible without the relentless efforts of HAL’s chief designers, Suma Prakash and Ramanand, along with an entire team of engineers, scientists, and workers.
With HAL now producing low-cost, high-performance combat aircraft, several nations, particularly from the Global South, are showing interest in acquiring Indian-made fighter jets, Surya said.
Surya is the second politician to fly in an aircraft in this edition of the show. On Tuesday, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu flew in HAL’s Hindustan Jet Trainer (HJT-36) which was renamed ‘Yashas’. The aircraft was piloted by an HAL test pilot.
