Breaking news
Indian Defense Ministry gives green light for acquisition of 38 more Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft.
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World
Defense & Security News - India |
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| Indian Defense Ministry gives green light for acquisition of 38 more Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft | |||
India's
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 28 February 2015 approved buying
of 38 more Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft from Switzerland at a cost of
$242 mn. These trainer aircraft will train Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter
pilots. India has already acquired 75 Pilatus aircraft against a projected
requirement of 181 planes and 59 of these have been inducted. |
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 Indian Air Force's Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft |
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Sources
said the rest of the requirement will be met by HTT40 (Hindustan Turbo
Trainer-40) aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Officials added that number of planes can be increased to make the manufacturing viable. "Adequate orders will be given to HAL to make this commercially viable project. The number of aircraft can be increased," an official said. DAC also gave approval
for buying one C-130J
medium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF)
at a cost of $85 mn. This aircraft will replace a C-130
J which crashed in 2014 near Gwalior. The council also discussed buying amphibious US-2i aircraft, but no decision was taken as the it was felt further discussions are needed on the issue. No decision was taken on the bid by Airbus-TATA consortium to replace the ageing Avro transport aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force. |
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