Giving a boost to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Defence Ministry on Tuesday sealed two deals worth nearly Rs 10,000 crore. They included a contract with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft at a cost of over Rs 6,800 crore for the Indian Air Force.
The Ministry also finalised a contract with the Larsen and Toubro Ltd for acquisition of three cadet training ships worth over Rs 3,100 crore. Both the procurement proposals were cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on March 1.
While the HAL will provide 70 HTT-40 aircraft over a period of six years, the delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from 2026.
“The Ministry of Defence on March 7 signed contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft and three cadet training ships respectively in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,” the Ministry said.