Amid a renewed push for indigenisation of defence hardware, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Tuesday approved procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore including a tentative order for 106 HAL-manufactured HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft.
The HTT-40 first flew in 2016 after its design process kicked off in . Intended to replace the HPT-32 Deepak, its future was placed in doubt when the IAF opted for a Rs 2,900 crore deal for 75 Swiss-made Palatus PC-7 trainers. Development of the HTT-40 continued, however, while the IAF in 2019 abandoned plans to purchase 38 additional PC-7s following corruption allegations and a CBI probe into the deal.
Just three days prior, the Enforcement Directorate raided multiple premises in connection with a money laundering case linked to the deal.
Noting that HAL had successfully developed prototypes of the Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) with the certification process underway, the DAC approved procuring 70 aircraft post-certification and 36 after operationalisation of the plane in the IAF.
In addition, procurement of an upgraded version of the Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM)—fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)—was approved.
“The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles and Fast Attack Crafts and increase the maximum engagement range,” the Ministry of Defence said in a release.
Additionally, procurement of 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) ammunition for the Indian Army was approved as a ‘Design and Development Case’, with the ammunition procured to have 70 per cent indigenous content.
This ammunition will be used in the T-72 and T-90 Main Battle Tanks.
The DAC also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades.
