BEML and Alenia Aeronautica sign MoU to develop Basic Trainer -Defence.

[SpArK]

BEML and Alenia Aeronautica sign MoU to develop Basic Trainer aircraft​

23 JUN, 2011

BANGALORE: State-owned BEML Ltd which focuses on the defence sector has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italian aerospace major Alenia Aeronautica to design, manufacture and sell a basic trainer aircraft, the Bangalore-based company said on Thursday.

The proposed aircraft could also be offered to the IAF as a replacement for its current basic trainer, the HPT-32 Deepak, according to a statement by the company.

The MoU signed by BEML Chairman and Managing Director V RS Natarajan and Allesandro Franzoni, chief operating officer, Aelina Aeronautica, envisages a "mutual collaboration for designing, manufacturing and selling a new primary/basic training aircraft on a New Generation Screener," according to the press release.

Earlier this month, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik announced that Swiss aviation company Pilatu, through its offering PC-7, had emerged as the lowest bidder in the IAF's Basic Trainer competition, which calls for the procurement of 75 aircrafts, a deal estimated at about $1-billion. Separately, defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has been given the order to design and manufacture a further 106 aircrafts.

The IAF's entire fleet of basic trainers, HPT-32 Deepak has been grounded since 2009, following the death of almost 20 pilots in recent times.


BEML and Alenia Aeronautica sign MoU to develop Basic Trainer aircraft - The Economic Times

 

[Skull and Bones]

Nice development

Ancient Deepaks has to be removed ASAP.

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

HAL controls way too much of the current market share which means that they aren't going be competitive anytime soon,so this is a minor yet major step to take away some of the market share of HAL which hopefully makes them a bit more competitive in the future.
P.S-Never liked Pilatus so,if they DO manage to pull off this feat "fast",then we can go for this.
^^^Purely my opinion

 

[sancho]

That doesn't make any sense, because HAL is already developing a new trainer to replace them, the HTT 40 and this trainer competition should add to the development with ToT, or even a joint development. Why is there a need for another joint development?

AERO INDIA: HAL reveals new look for HTT-40 basic trainer design
By Craig Hoyle

A new basic trainer design is making its first appearance on Hindustan Aeronautics' stand in model form, with the HTT-40 turboprop planned as an indigenous replacement for the Indian air force's retired HPT-32 Deepaks.

HAL says the aircraft - which differs markedly from a concept image displayed at the last Aero India show - has an 11m (36ft) wing span, a fuselage length of 11.3m and a maximum take-off weight of 2,800kg (6,170lb).

The type will be capable of flying at a maximum speed of 243kt (450km/h) and at altitudes up to 19,700ft.

India is looking to develop an indigenous basic trainer, but also has a competition under way to select an elementary training aircraft from an international supplier. Seven bidders are in the running for the latter requirement.

More here:

Livefist: AERO INDIA: HAL's Basic Trainer HTT-40, First Look

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

^^^Healthy competition is good right?!

 

[kriish]

trust me its better with HAL than BEML...... its one of the saddest company for Aeronautics it does not have tech to do it and it will ruin the trainer

 

[marcos98]

Why hadn't this deal been signed couple of years earlier.
anyways its good to have some competition against HAL monopoly.

 

[sahanshu]

BEML is a good for nothing firm.I have visited their facility in B'lore and its pathetic...they boast of manufacturing the metro coaches.....in reality the Japanese and the Koreans work there....from the interior components to the nuts & bolts and even the plastic used is imported from Korea and japan.