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The navy is in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Asia's largest aeronautics firm, to induct the naval version of its Intermediate Jet Trainer to replace the age-old Surya Kiran trainers.
The Bangalore-based public-sector undertaking is at an advanced stage of developing the first prototype of the IJT for test flights later this year.
The trainers will be inducted in the Indian Air Force and the navy in the next couple of years in place of the Surya Kirans, which have outlived their utility.
According to HAL chairman N R Mohanty, unlike the Surya Kiran, the IJT will cruise at subsonic speeds with the latest avionics and anti-aircraft weaponry, including all types of missiles.
Though built indigenously, the prototypes will have engines made by the French firm Larzec. The design and development of the IJT is estimated to have cost HAL Rs 10.8 billion over the last few years.
The IAF will be acquiring some 200 IJTs. The naval version will be developed thereafter, Mohanty told rediff.com in Bangalore on Thursday. The navy plans to acquire about 50 of them.
Apart from the IJTs, the navy will be seeking HAL's expertise for the service and maintenance of the MiG-29K aircraft on board the Admiral Gorshkov, the Russian-made aircraft carrier that India is likely to acquire this year.
HAL is already collaborating with the navy to commission the British-made Sea King helicopters, which were grounded earlier for want of components and maintenance services on account of the US-sponsored sanctions on India.
"In addition to deploying the naval version of the Advanced Light Helicopter [made by HAL], we will be looking to upgrade and maintain the Russian-made Kamov helicopters that are in operation with the fleet," the deputy chief of naval staff, Vice-Admiral S V Gopalachari, had said when receiving the first ALH.
Confirming the talks with HAL on the IJT, Vice-Admiral Gopalachari, however, declined to spell out the details, including delivery schedules and the funds being allocated for the new aircraft or the upgrades, including spares and maintenance services.
"New projects are at the planning stage," he said. "We have to go for government approval for each project. Prior to that, we are in dialogue with the HAL top brass for working out the modalities to obtain the clearance of the Cabinet Committee on Defence Procurement."
Asked whether the navy was looking to procure sea-borne aircraft in addition to the ALH from HAL, Gopalachari said the navy would leverage the competencies built by HAL over the years to source what is required, including helicopters and aircraft, to upgrade and enhance its capabilities in the Indian Ocean.
Over the years, the navy has acquired a number of aircraft and choppers, including Dorniers and Chetaks, for sea-borne and shore-based operations along the country's vast coastline.
Earlier, receiving the first naval version of the ALH, Vice-Admiral Gopalachari had also said the force would be placing firm orders for 12 such aircraft over the next two years, including the weapons-grade variant.
"The second ALH will be inducted next month and a couple more later this year. Though the long-term requirements of the navy will be about 60 ALHs by the end of the current decade, the deployment will be gradual," he had affirmed.
To be the main workhorse of the navy, the five-ton ALH will be deployed with all its three fleets -- the western, eastern and southern commands -- for multi-purpose roles once it is equipped with anti-submarine warfare equipment.
"The first few versions, which are not weapons-based, will be deployed for multi-utility purposes, including rescue and relief operations, naval exercises and reconnaissance missions," the vice-admiral said.
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