Thread by @ajaishukla, On 11 Aug 20, MoD chose to buy HAL's @HALHQBLR HTT-40 trainer, [...]

On 11 Aug 20, MoD chose to buy HAL's @HALHQBLR HTT-40 trainer, rather than import the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Mark-2.

Here is my reportage of HAL's fight for the HTT-40... a 19-post thread with links to each article in Business Standard and to my blog. 1/19 https://www.business-standard.com/article/defence/mod-go-ahead-to-make-in-india-acquisitions-worth-rs-8-722-crore-120081101865_1.html

MoD go-ahead to 'Make in India' acquisitions worth Rs 8,722 crore

The bulk of this will go towards purchasing the first fixed wing aircraft that Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has designed and developed in decades

https://www.business-standard.com/article/defence/mod-go-ahead-to-make-in-india-acquisitions-worth-rs-8-722-crore-120081101865_1.html

2/19 “MoD rejects HAL’s proposal to build basic trainer”, Dec 19, 2012

HAL's HTT-40 trainer is near-dead after IAF contends it cost too much.

The IAF – which has already bought 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk II – is poised to buy 106 more

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mod-rejects-hal-s-proposal-to-build-basic-trainer-112121902013_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2012/12/mod-rejects-hals-proposal-to-build.html

MoD rejects HAL's proposal to build basic trainer

The MoD, after comparing prices, found that thousands of crores extra would have to be paid for HAL-built trainers

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mod-rejects-hal-s-proposal-to-build-basic-trainer-112121902013_1.html

3/19 “HAL’s trainer pitted as Rs 4,500 crore cheaper than Swiss Pilatus trainer”, dated 15 April 2013.

Last year the MoD tilted towards the Pilatus after IAF declared HTT-40 more expensive. Now, HAL submits a cheaper price bid.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/hal-s-trainer-pitted-as-rs-4-500-cr-cheaper-than-swiss-pilatus-trainer-113041500059_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2013/04/hals-trainer-pitted-as-rs-4500-crore.html

HAL's trainer pitted as Rs 4,500 cr cheaper than Swiss Pilatus trainer

A looming test case will soon make clear how serious the defence ministry (MoD) is about its recently expressed intentions to end corruption in arms procurement by indigenising defence production....

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/hal-s-trainer-pitted-as-rs-4-500-cr-cheaper-than-swiss-pilatus-trainer-113041500059_1.html

4/19 “Air Force at war with Hindustan Aeronautics; wants to import, not build, a trainer” dated 29 July 2013

IAF chief, NAK Browne, writes to Defence Minister Antony, urged him to import Pilatus. Here is Browne’s 5-page letter

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/indian-air-force-at-war-with-hindustan-aeronautics-wants-to-import-not-build-a-trainer-113072800747_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2013/07/air-force-at-war-with-hindustan.html

Indian Air Force at war with Hindustan Aeronautics; wants to import, not build, a trainer

In a letter to defence minister, IAF chief criticises HAL's proposal to design and build aircraft for rookie pilots

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/indian-air-force-at-war-with-hindustan-aeronautics-wants-to-import-not-build-a-trainer-113072800747_1.html

5/19 “Air Force diluted at least 12 benchmarks to allow Pilatus into contract” dated 30 July, 2013

The IAF fights dirty for Pilatus, dilutes 12 benchmarks, even some relating to pilot safety, to help the Swiss trainer qualify

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/iaf-diluted-al-least-12-benchmarks-for-trainer-aircraft-113072901068_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2013/07/air-force-diluted-at-least-twelve.html

IAF diluted al least 12 benchmarks for trainer aircraft

The documents reveal that, up to Sep 29, 2009, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was indigenously developing 181 BTA for the IAF, dubbed the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40)

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/iaf-diluted-al-least-12-benchmarks-for-trainer-aircraft-113072901068_1.html

6/19 “Admissions & obfuscations in IAF clarification on Business Standard reports” dated 31st July, 2013

IAF pleads that dilutions that allegedly favoured Pilatus were only to “desirable” parameters, not not “essential” ones.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/admissions-obfuscations-in-iaf-clarification-on-bs-reports-113073100025_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2013/07/admissions-obfuscations-in-indian-air.html

Admissions & obfuscations in IAF clarification on BS reports

Two news reports in Business Standard, on Monday and Tuesday, have elicited a "clarification" from the Indian Air Force (IAF).The two articles (July 29, Indian Air Force at war with Hindustan...

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/admissions-obfuscations-in-iaf-clarification-on-bs-reports-113073100025_1.html

7/19 “IAF to HAL: Build Swiss trainer aircraft, don’t develop your own” dated 14 Oct 2013

The IAF chief, NAK Browne tries to get HAL on board. Instead of HTT-40, he proposes HAL builds the Pilatus in India to Swiss blueprints.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/iaf-to-hal-build-swiss-trainer-aircraft-don-t-develop-your-own-113101400067_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2013/10/iaf-to-hal-build-swiss-trainer-aircraft.html

IAF to HAL: Build Swiss trainer aircraft, don't develop your own

HAL, which is designing its own basic trainer for the IAF - the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 has flatly rejected the proposal

https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/iaf-to-hal-build-swiss-trainer-aircraft-don-t-develop-your-own-113101400067_1.html

8/19 “Air force resists Antony’s order for indigenous trainer aircraft”: 26 March 2014

The IAF tries to bypass HAL, it floats a proposal inviting Indian companies to partner Pilatus in building 106 PC-7 Mk II trainers in India.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/iaf-resists-antony-s-order-for-indigenous-trainer-aircraft-114032501368_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2014/03/air-force-resists-antonys-order-for.html

IAF resists Antony's order for indigenous trainer aircraft

An IAF "request for information" floated on the MoD website invites Indian companies to submit preliminary bids to supply the IAF with 106 PC-7 Mk II trainers

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/iaf-resists-antony-s-order-for-indigenous-trainer-aircraft-114032501368_1.html

9/19 “Pilatus or HAL’s trainer: Parrikar’s first “Make” decision”, 21 Nov 2014

New defence minister Manohar Parrikar's difficult first acquisition decision: Should MoD import 38 Pilatus trainers, or let HAL build the HTT-40.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/pilatus-or-hal-s-trainer-parrikar-s-first-make-decision-114112100038_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2014/11/pilatus-or-hals-trainer-parrikars-first.html

Pilatus or HAL's trainer: Parrikar's first 'Make' decision

HAL credibly claims it can build the HTT-40 basic trainer but IAF wants to import from swiss company Pilatus

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/pilatus-or-hal-s-trainer-parrikar-s-first-make-decision-114112100038_1.html

10/19 “Purchase of trainer aircraft deferred, future in limbo”, 30 Nov 2014

Pilatus in trouble: dodging responsibility for maintaining IAF’s 75 Pilatus trainers, despite charging 80 mn Francs for maint knowhow in 2012 contract.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/purchase-of-trainer-aircraft-deferred-future-in-limbo-114112900736_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2014/11/purchase-of-pilatus-trainer-aircraft.html

Purchase of trainer aircraft deferred, future in limbo

Pilatus tells HAL to negotiate directly with sub-vendors for licences to use & maintain its equipment; also says 'we are working on project diligently to achieve an acceptable outcome for GOI and IAF'

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/purchase-of-trainer-aircraft-deferred-future-in-limbo-114112900736_1.html

11/19 Scuttling a Make in India project: the case of the HTT-40 trainer: 7 Jan 2015

MoD has directed HAL to close HTT-40 project. Here I detail the IAF’s four-pronged campaign that promoted the Pilatus, while blocking the HTT-40.

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2015/01/scuttling-made-in-india-project-case-of.html https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/scuttling-a-made-in-india-project-the-case-of-the-htt-40-trainer-115010601289_1.html

Scuttling a 'Made in India' project: The case of the HTT-40 trainer

Instead of the Hindustan Turbo Trainer - 40, which Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd could build, export, overhaul, upgrade and even modify into a light-attack aircraft, powerful lobbies have promoted a...

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2015/01/scuttling-made-in-india-project-case-of.html

12/19 “Defence ministry official questions whether Pilatus was cheapest trainer”, 14 Feb 2015

In turning point for HTT-40, a key defence ministry official says Pilatus procurement fundamentally flawed, was not the lowest offer.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/defence-ministry-official-questions-whether-pilatus-was-cheapest-trainer-115021400042_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2015/02/defence-ministry-official-questions.html

Defence ministry official questions whether Pilatus was cheapest trainer

The purchase of 75 trainer aircraft from Swiss company Pilatus was fundamentally flawed, a key defence ministry official has discovered

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/defence-ministry-official-questions-whether-pilatus-was-cheapest-trainer-115021400042_1.html

13/19 “Make in India” for HAL trainer, import of Swiss trainer capped : 1 March 2015

HAL prevails over the IAF. The MoD backs HAL and “Make in India”, rules that IAF must buy the HTT-40, which HAL is developing in Bengaluru.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/make-in-india-for-hal-trainer-import-of-swiss-trainer-capped-115030100034_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2015/03/make-in-india-for-hal-trainer-import-of.html

'Make in India' for HAL trainer, import of Swiss trainer capped

Council orders IAF to buy indigenous HTT-40 trainer

https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/make-in-india-for-hal-trainer-import-of-swiss-trainer-capped-115030100034_1.html

14/19 "Fully built HAL trainer aircraft readies to fly": 3rd February 2016.

The first HTT-40 prototype rolls out from the HAL hangar where it was built and begins preparations for its first flight, sometime later this month.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/fully-built-hal-trainer-aircraft-readies-to-fly-116020200941_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2016/02/htt-40-rolls-out-fully-built-hal.html

Fully built HAL trainer aircraft readies to fly

Its chequered history notwithstanding, the HTT-40 rolled out of the hangar with all its lights flashing and its cockpit powered on

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/fully-built-hal-trainer-aircraft-readies-to-fly-116020200941_1.html

15/19 Boost for “Made in India”, HAL demonstrates new trainer aircraft to Parrikar: 16 June 2017

“There is no need for the HTT-40 trainer”, IAF chief, NAK Browne, had said in 2013. Today, HAL staged HTT-40’s inaugural flight before Manohar Parrikar.

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2016/06/boost-for-made-in-india-hal.html

16/19 "HAL fights for indigenous HTT-40 trainer, as IAF seeks Swiss Pilatus": 16 Jan 2019

Even though the HTT-40 outperforms the Pilatus, IAF presses for buying 38 more from Switzerland, to supplement the 75 it already operates.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/defence/hal-fights-for-indigenous-htt-40-trainer-as-iaf-seeks-swiss-pilatus-planes-119011501305_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2019/01/hal-fights-for-indigenous-htt-40.html

HAL fights for indigenous HTT-40 trainer as IAF seeks Swiss Pilatus planes

Even as HAL seeks a green light for manufacturing the HTT-40, the IAF is pressing for buying 38 more Pilatus PC-7 Mark II basic trainers from Switzerland, to supplement the 75 it already operates

https://www.business-standard.com/article/defence/hal-fights-for-indigenous-htt-40-trainer-as-iaf-seeks-swiss-pilatus-planes-119011501305_1.html

17/19 “IAF block on indigenous HTT-40 trainer aircraft keeps door open for Swiss trainers”: 10 June 2019.

HAL board wants an IAF tender for HTT-40... to release money to pay Honeywell to develop the HTT-40’s engine. IAF says No!

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/iaf-block-on-indigenous-htt-40-aircraft-keeps-door-open-for-swiss-trainers-119061001305_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2019/06/iaf-block-on-indigenous-htt-40-trainer.html

IAF block on indigenous HTT-40 aircraft keeps door open for Swiss trainers

HAL has to pay Rs 180 crore to US firm Honeywell, to upgrade its TPE-331-12B engine that will power 106 HTT-40 trainers needed by the Indian military

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/iaf-block-on-indigenous-htt-40-aircraft-keeps-door-open-for-swiss-trainers-119061001305_1.html

18/19 HAL-built trainer aircraft HTT-40 clears crucial “six-turn spin test”: 8 Sept 2019.

The HTT-40 cleared the so-called “six-turn spin test” -- a make-or-break capability test -- clearing the way for induction into service.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hal-built-trainer-aircraft-htt-40-clears-crucial-flight-test-successfully-119090700956_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2019/09/hal-built-trainer-aircraft-htt-40.html

HAL-built trainer aircraft HTT-40 clears crucial flight test successfully

Clearing the HTT-40's six-turn spin tests removes a monkey from our backs, said design chief Arup Chatterjee

https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hal-built-trainer-aircraft-htt-40-clears-crucial-flight-test-successfully-119090700956_1.html

19/19 MoD approves “Make in India” acquisitions worth Rs 8,722 crore: 12 August 20

The HTT-40 prevails over the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II

MoD gives HTT-40 a Rs 5,000 crore green light, rules that all 106 trainers will be HTT-40.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/defence/mod-go-ahead-to-make-in-india-acquisitions-worth-rs-8-722-crore-120081101865_1.html

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2020/08/mod-approves-make-in-india-acquisitions.html

ENDS

MoD go-ahead to 'Make in India' acquisitions worth Rs 8,722 crore

The bulk of this will go towards purchasing the first fixed wing aircraft that Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has designed and developed in decades

https://www.business-standard.com/article/defence/mod-go-ahead-to-make-in-india-acquisitions-worth-rs-8-722-crore-120081101865_1.html

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