New Delhi: It's an aircraft that many senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officers cut their teeth on but a spate of crashes has finally forced the retirement of the HPT-32 trainers.
IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, told the India Strategic defence magazine that the IAF was undergoing a major transformation by inducting hi-tech systems and, while it was all for supporting indigenous industry, the HPT-32's record of accidents did not inspire confidence.
There has been a persistent problem with the aircraft's fuel supply system that has not been sorted out, leading to 108 engine seizures and consequent crashes, claiming the lives of 23 pilots.
Briefly grounded
The HPT-32, manufactured by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was grounded after a crash on July 31, 2009 in which two senior pilots, both instructors, were killed.
The aircraft recorded its first flight in 1981, and was delivered to the IAF Training Command in 1984 for training in basic flying.
Notably, many of the current IAF top brass have trained on the HPT-32 but there seems to be a unanimous opinion that it is time for a change.
Replacement
As a replacement, the IAF has decided to acquire the Swiss-made Pilatus-7 aircraft.
India Strategic quoted the air chief as saying that the formal agreement to buy 75 of the Swiss aircraft will be signed within a few weeks as the negotiations were in the final stages between the government and the manufacturer.
IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, told the India Strategic defence magazine that the IAF was undergoing a major transformation by inducting hi-tech systems and, while it was all for supporting indigenous industry, the HPT-32's record of accidents did not inspire confidence.
There has been a persistent problem with the aircraft's fuel supply system that has not been sorted out, leading to 108 engine seizures and consequent crashes, claiming the lives of 23 pilots.
Briefly grounded
The HPT-32, manufactured by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was grounded after a crash on July 31, 2009 in which two senior pilots, both instructors, were killed.
The aircraft recorded its first flight in 1981, and was delivered to the IAF Training Command in 1984 for training in basic flying.
Notably, many of the current IAF top brass have trained on the HPT-32 but there seems to be a unanimous opinion that it is time for a change.
Replacement
As a replacement, the IAF has decided to acquire the Swiss-made Pilatus-7 aircraft.
India Strategic quoted the air chief as saying that the formal agreement to buy 75 of the Swiss aircraft will be signed within a few weeks as the negotiations were in the final stages between the government and the manufacturer.
