Bengaluru, Feb 13 (NationPress) Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya experienced a flight in the HTT-40, India's fully indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA), during the Aero Show on Thursday.

Following his flight, he shared insights about the creation of the HTT-40, noting that India has transitioned from scams under the UPA era to self-reliance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi by producing its own indigenous BTA.

He remarked, “Flying the HTT-40 was a remarkable experience. This aircraft exemplifies India’s engineering prowess and serves as a prime example of what our scientists and engineers can accomplish with the right policies and support.”

The HTT-40, designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force (IAF), is a fully aerobatic aircraft, featuring a four-bladed turbo-prop engine, a modern glass cockpit, and advanced safety features, including a zero-zero ejection seat.

This development signifies a major leap towards enhanced self-reliance in Defence and aviation, resonating with the Prime Minister's vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by reducing dependency on foreign BTAs for pilot training.

After his flight, Surya stated, "The HTT-40 signifies India’s transition from scandals to self-sufficiency, moving away from foreign dependency to Atmanirbharta."

He recalled how, in 2012, the UPA government procured Swiss Pilatus trainer aircraft through a Rs 3,000 crore agreement.

This procurement process was later marred by irregularities, triggering a CBI inquiry in 2019 that unveiled the involvement of middlemen.

As a result, Pilatus was blacklisted, putting India in immediate need of a domestic training aircraft.

During that period, HAL was working on a local alternative.

However, the indigenous program faced multiple challenges, and it was not until 2014, under the Prime Minister’s guidance and the late Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s backing, that HAL received the essential funding and policy support to advance the trainer aircraft project.

“In just 40 months, HAL successfully developed the HTT-40, showcasing India’s capacity to shift from import reliance to self-sufficiency in the aviation sector,” Surya declared.

“This accomplishment is dedicated to the late Manohar Parrikar, whose vision for self-reliance in Defence was critical in revitalizing the indigenous trainer program,” he added.

“The HTT-40 was first inaugurated by him under the auspices of PM Modi and now stands as a symbol of India’s transformation in Defence manufacturing,” Surya noted.

The success of the HTT-40 would not have been achievable without the unwavering dedication of HAL’s chief designers, Suma Prakash and Ramanand, along with a team of engineers, scientists, and workers.

“On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere thanks to HAL and its workforce for this landmark achievement. This is a victory for our nation, demonstrating our ability to innovate in Defence technology,” Surya remarked.

With HAL now producing cost-effective, high-performance combat aircraft, numerous nations, especially from the Global South, are expressing interest in acquiring Indian-made fighter jets.

“India is not only securing its Defence requirements but is also positioning itself as a global leader in aerospace technology. Several countries in the Global South are poised to procure HAL-manufactured combat aircraft, further bolstering India’s status as a Defence exporter,” he continued.

Pilot Group Captain Prabhas Awasthi (Retd), Senior Flying Instructor Group Captain N.S. Murthy (Retd), Deputy Chief Flight Test Engineer responsible for HTT-40 development and testing, Borlingappa AGM HTT-40, along with the engineering and technician teams from the Aircraft Research and Development Centre HAL were also in attendance.