Hindustan Aeronautics has issued a request for information to companies including Embraer, Finmeccanica, Grob, Korea Aerospace Industries and Raytheon to help in the design and development of a new turboprop trainer for the Indian air force and navy.
To replace the HAL-built HPT-32 Deepak, which has been in service since 1984, the new aircraft should have a glass cockpit with advanced avionics and navigation equipment, ejection seats and a retractable landing gear.
State-owned HAL believes an alliance with a foreign company will allow it to leverage the partner's technical expertise, and boost its ability to market its products on the global stage.
Meanwhile, HAL's plan to obtain initial operational clearance for its Sitara intermediate jet trainer is not likely to be realised before 2010. The project had been due to deliver 12 limited series production aircraft to the Indian air force by 2006, but a late decision to integrate Russia's NPO Saturn AL-55I engine led to delays. The first flight of an AL-55I-powered Sitara took place on 9 May.
Source: Flight International
