Faced with a Mexican standoff over the home built intermediate jet trainer (IJT) the Indian Air Force (IAF) is prepared to shoot its way out of the crisis. Tired of waiting for the IJT – under development since 1999 – the IAF now wants to import Swiss jets as a contingency measure.
The IJT is aimed at providing high-speed training for IAF pilots entering the second stage of training. Rookies begin flight training in a basic trainer aircraft (BTA) and then on an IJT before moving on to an advanced jet trainer (AJT) to finally learn the art of combat flying.
With the induction of the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 and the British Hawk, IAF’s basic and advanced trainer requirements are taken care of. The problem is in the middle – the IJT, which is being manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
24/02/14 Rakesh Kirshnan Simha/Russia & India Report
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The IJT is aimed at providing high-speed training for IAF pilots entering the second stage of training. Rookies begin flight training in a basic trainer aircraft (BTA) and then on an IJT before moving on to an advanced jet trainer (AJT) to finally learn the art of combat flying.
With the induction of the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 and the British Hawk, IAF’s basic and advanced trainer requirements are taken care of. The problem is in the middle – the IJT, which is being manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
24/02/14 Rakesh Kirshnan Simha/Russia & India Report
