For 15 years, India’s defence ministry had dithered over purchasing a light trainer aircraft much required by the services for flight safety and training. In 2011, when India first issued a Request for Proposal for a micro-light trainer aircraft, it more or less remained in the LBW (let the blighter wait) tray till the UPA government was voted out.
On October 12, 2015, India signed a contract with Slovenian aircraft manufacturing company, Pipistrel, which emerged as the winner to supply 194 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and National Cadet Corps. The deal, according to defence sources valued at Rs 105.5 crore in 2011, is for a two-seater trainer, capable of take-off and landing on prepared and semi-prepared surfaces. Made of advanced carbon fibre material, with a carrying capacity for two crew members and their equipment, this aircraft is powered by an 80 HP aviation certified engine and can reach a maximum speed of more than 220 km/h, fly for more than 3 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 6000 meters. While 110 of these aircrafts are for NCC for training cadets, IAF and the Indian Navy will receive 72 and 12 respectively, for carrying out bird reconnaissance of air fields and thereby give a big boost to flight safety. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to commence in the next one year.
21/10/15 AsianAge
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On October 12, 2015, India signed a contract with Slovenian aircraft manufacturing company, Pipistrel, which emerged as the winner to supply 194 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and National Cadet Corps. The deal, according to defence sources valued at Rs 105.5 crore in 2011, is for a two-seater trainer, capable of take-off and landing on prepared and semi-prepared surfaces. Made of advanced carbon fibre material, with a carrying capacity for two crew members and their equipment, this aircraft is powered by an 80 HP aviation certified engine and can reach a maximum speed of more than 220 km/h, fly for more than 3 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 6000 meters. While 110 of these aircrafts are for NCC for training cadets, IAF and the Indian Navy will receive 72 and 12 respectively, for carrying out bird reconnaissance of air fields and thereby give a big boost to flight safety. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to commence in the next one year.
21/10/15 AsianAge
