IST to replace Kiran aircraft by 2004

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 10. If the first day on which Aero India 2001 was open to the public was any indication, the show was successful in generating enthusiasm, and to a lesser extent, awareness about aviation. From the exhibitors' point of view, the show was definitely a chance to get people excited about their products.

The Russian Sukhoi, the British Hawk 100 series Advanced Jet Trainer and India's Light Combat Aircraft (Technology Demonstrator I) each made headlines during Aero India 2001. With Sunday being the last day of the airshow, the obvious question is what can one expect to see at the next Aero India show that will be held here (as Bangalore is the permanent venue for Aero India) in Feb 2003?

Some of the international players at this year's show dismissed the question as being speculative when this correspondent asked them. Others said it would depend on various factors including future relations with the Indian Government and the manner in which the market evolved in this region.

From India's point of view, the military aircraft that caught media attention after the LCA and the Sukhoi was the Hawk AJT that India is set to buy. While the prototype version was here on display from the U.K., India's first Hawks would be delivered only by 2004, the manufacturers of BAE System officials said.

In Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), the series production of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has been launched, with the first eight helicopters to be delivered to customers in the coming financial year. The ALH has been launched as a multi-role helicopter with military and civil applications. It is equipped with the TM-333 engine from Snecma Moteurs and Tourbomeca of France. A derivative of the TM-333 will be developed jointly by Tourbomeca and HAL called the "Shakti" that will be used for the naval version of the ALH.

An Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) called HJT-36 is being developed by HAL to replace the aging Kiran aircraft. Snecma Moteurs will deliver three engines to HAL for developing the prototype of the HJT-36 that is expected to come out by the middle of 2002. Snecma will then provide the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), and licence HAL to produce the series production aircraft. HJT-36 is to be inducted into the IAF by 2004. So the HJT-36 development prototype may be a likely "candidate" for the 2003 air show.

Another likely "candidate" for the 2003 Aero India will be the Sukhoi 30MKI fighter aircraft. According to a report in the journal ARMS MARKET, the first of the 32 Sukhoi 30-MKI fighters in their final configuration will be delivered to India by the end of this year. Ten aircraft will be delivered in the first batch. The remaining 22 will be delivered before 2003, according to the report. India's existing 18 Sukhoi 30-K aircraft will be upgraded to Su-30MKI by the Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association.

HAL is also to get a deep licence to produce 140 Su-MKI fighters, as per an agreement signed during the official visit to India of the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin in October 2000. The first Indian fighter under this licence will be assembled at HAL in 2004.

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