PM Modi unveils India-made HTT-40 aircraft at DefExpo in Gujarat

Modi inaugurated India's biggest ever five-day long defence exhibition DefExpo 2022 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The HTT-40 aircraft has state of the art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot friendly features.

The aircraft has already received its clearance certificate from Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) based on extensive design evaluation, testing of aircraft systems and comprehensive flight testing carried out by HAL Flight Operations team along with pilots from IAF.

The project also set a record as the fastest to reach certification from the first flight.

In Feb last year, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited received a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Indian Air Force for their Basic Trainers requirement at the Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru. The RFP was for 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft with provision for 38 more.

The trainer has more than 60 per cent indigenous content and is supported by agencies such as Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Regional Director Aeronautical Quality Assurance (RDAQA), Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) among others.

During the inauguration programme, the Prime Minister also launched Mission Defence Space to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups.

He also virtually laid the foundation stone of Deesa airfield in Banaskantha district of Gujarat.

As per sources, the air base, situated just 130 km from the Pakistan border, will be operational by 2024.

The forward airforce base will add on to the security architecture of the country.

Experts believe that the strategically located airbase will add teeth to the IAF's prowess along the western border.

Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat Wednesday and Thursday.

He will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 15,670 crore.