Hindustan Trainer HTT-40

[vampyrbladez]

• INDIA

CBI books alleged arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, others in Pilatus aircraft deal
PTI | Updated: Jun 22, 2019, 21:12 IST

HIGHLIGHTS

• CBI has carried out searches at nine locations in Delhi-NCR including at the residence and office of Bhandari, and the office of Pilatus
• The agency has also booked unidentified officials of the Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry and Switzerland-based Pilatus Aircraft Limited in the case

NEW DELHI: The CBI has booked controversial arms dealer Sanjay

Bhandari
and others in connection with the alleged corruption in the Rs 2895 crore deal of 75 Pilatus basic trainer aircraft for the

Indian Air Force
in 2009, officials said Saturday.


The agency has carried out searches at nine locations in Delhi-NCR including at the residence and office of

Bhandari
, and the office of Pilatus, they said.


The action comes after findings of a three-year-old inquiry by the CBI showed a prima facie case of corruption against the accused.


The agency has also booked unidentified officials of the Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry and Switzerland-based

Pilatus Aircraft
Limited in the case, they said.


The Swiss company was one of the bidders for the contract floated in 2009, they said.

The CBI has alleged that it had entered into a criminal conspiracy with Bhandari and Bimal Sareen, both directors of Offset India Solutions Private Limited, and dishonestly and fraudulently signed a Service Provider Agreement with
Bhandarii inJune 2010, which was in violation of the Defence Procurement Procedure, 2008.


It was allegedly done to get the contract for supply of 75 basic Trainer Aircraft to the Indian Air Force.


The agency has alleged that the company made a payment of CHF 1,000,000 in the account of Offset India Solution Private Limited with the Standard Chartered
Bank, New Delhi in two tranches in August and October, 2010.


In addition, Rs 350 crore was also transferred in Swiss Francs from 2011 to 2015 in the bank accounts of Dubai-based Offset India Solutions FZC, also belonging to Bhandarii Pilatus dishonestly and fraudulently signed a Pre- Contract Integrity Pact on November 12, 2010 with the Defence Ministry, deliberately concealing the facts about service provider agreement with Bhandari the agency alleged


The inquiry showed that Pilatus allegedly concealed payments made to Bhandari
's companies in India and Dubai, they said.

It is suspected that the commission amount was allegedly paid to influence the officials of the IAF and the MoD and Government of India associated with the procurement, they said.

Pilatus bagged the contract on May 24, 2012 for Rs 2895.63 crore.


"Offset India Solutions Pvt Ltd. and other Indian companies of Bhandari and his wife Sonia Bhandari received Rs 25.5 crore during June, 2012 to March, 2015 in lieu of cash provided by Bhandarif various companies of Deepak Aggarwal," it said


Bhandari allegedly routed money through purchase of various companies and cash transactions involving Aggarwal and one Himanshu Verma, it alleged.


"There is a strong suspicion that the aforementioned huge cash amount were the part of the commission amounts paid by Pilatus Aircrafts Limited to Bhandarit obtain the contract, it alleged.


Besides Bhandari, the CBI has also booked his companies Offset India Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Offset India Solutions FZC, UAE, Aggarwal, Verma, Sareen and unknown others for criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, they said

Looks like the HAL HTT 40 deal will be sanctioned now! Good going!

 

[Punya Pratap]

Excerpt from Shukla's article :

The IAF has relentlessly opposed the HTT-40 since the start of the programme, opting instead for importing the Swiss Pilatus. Business Standard reported (July 29, 2013, “Indian Air Force at war with Hindustan Aeronautics; wants to import, not build, a trainer”) that the IAF chief wrote a personal letter to the defence minister, incorrectly attributing an unduly high price to the HTT-40, compared to the Swiss trainer. The defence minister allowed the indigenous programme to continue.

In 2009, when a global tender was floated to buy 75 trainer aircraft,the IAF diluted the existing performance benchmarks, allowing the Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainer intothe contract (July 30, 2013, “Air Force diluted at leasttwelve benchmarks for trainer aircraft, allowing Pilatus into the contract”).

The IAF chief was NAK Brown who vehemently opposed the HTT 40 and wrote a letter as well. I think the government wishes to ensure that the services doesn't mar any procurements and these procurements are corruption free.

 

[Wisemarko]

In India, one asking for bribes is never punished but someone who is asked to pay bribes in order to have their product ever considered is “blacklisted”. Blacklisting in India is just another scam- no one but India gets hurts because the product is already inducted and maintenance suffers greatly. Banned firms create shell companies to provide maintenance/ spares and make money.

Any firm found guilty of wrongdoing should be asked to pay high fines - like in US (Walmart is charged $240 million fine for bribing Mexican officials) This way at least the taxpayers get their money back. Any firm unwilling to do so must be blacklisted FOREVER or pay fines with high interest in future. All officials found guilty must face prison. This is the only way to curtail corruption.

 

[The Ultranationalist]

IAF block on indigenous HTT-40 trainer aircraft keeps door open for Swiss trainers – Indian Defence Research Wing
5-6 minutes
SOURCE: Ajai Shukla / Business Standard

The Indian Air Force has refused to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer – 40 (HTT-40) basic trainer aircraft. An RFP is essential for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to release money to develop the engine that will power the Indian-designed trainer.

HAL has to pay Rs 180 crore to US firm Honeywell, to upgrade its TPE-331-12B engine that will power 106 HTT-40 trainers needed by the Indian military. HAL is willing to pay, but the company’s board insists that the money be disbursed only after the IAF demonstrates its intention to procure the HTT-40 – through an RFP, which is the first stage of a purchase.

But the IAF says it will only issue an RFP after the HTT-40 completes spin trials. In this critical trial, the test pilot deliberately throws his aircraft into a spin. After it has spun six times around its axis, he must recover the aircraft into level flight.

Since its first flight in 2015, the HTT-40 has consistently surpassed IAF performance benchmarks in flight-testing. In on-going spin trials the trainer has incrementally demonstrated the ability to recover from three spins.

At a high-level meeting in the MoD, chaired by the defence production secretary (Secretary DP) and attended by top IAF officers, HAL presented videos of the trainer recovering from three spins. The project managers pointed out that recovering from six spins is a matter of incremental testing.

The IAF had initially committed to issuing the RFP after the HTT-40’s first flight. When it flew in 2015, the IAF set a new benchmark of stall testing. When that was completed in 2017, the benchmark was changed to the first spin test. In late 2018, after the HTT-40 demonstrated it could recover from a spin, the IAF said it would issue an RFP only after the HTT-40 demonstrated it could recover from six spins.

HAL is concerned about production delays that could arise. An immediate RFP would allow HAL to pay Honeywell to begin the two-year process of replacing the TPE-331-12B engine’s old “electronic engine controller” (EEC) with a “full authority digital engine controller” (FADEC). Delaying payment would result in the FADEC-equipped engine being unavailable when the HTT-40 goes into production.

A senior HAL official points out they have asked the IAF neither for payment, nor a contract. An RFP amounts to only an IAF statement of interest, without financial liabilities. But it is essential for the HAL board to clear payments to Honeywell.

With the HTT-40 programme thus mired, the IAF is demanding that 38 Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainer aircraft be imported from Switzerland, to supplement 75 Pilatus trainers contracted in 2012 in a deal that was clouded by controversy.

Contacted for comments, the IAF states: “The [HTT-40] has just entered the spin phase of trials… As per DPP an RFP can be issued only after design and development completion/certification by HAL followed by IAF flight trials.” The air force points out that there was an audit objection when an RFP was issued for the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) before spin trials were completed.

In fact, in the IJT case, the IAF went far beyond placing an RFP. It contracted for and actually paid HAL for constructing a significant number of IJTs. HAL points out that placing an RFP for the HTT-40 involves no financial liability.

Furthermore, in December 2017, the IAF placed an RFP for the Tejas Mark 1A. This is an advanced version of the current fighter that exists only on the drawing board and is nowhere near flight-testing or completion.

The IAF has relentlessly opposed the HTT-40 since the start of the programme, opting instead for importing the Swiss Pilatus. Business Standard reported (July 29, 2013, “Indian Air Force at war with Hindustan Aeronautics; wants to import, not build, a trainer”) that the IAF chief wrote a personal letter to the defence minister, incorrectly attributing an unduly high price to the HTT-40, compared to the Swiss trainer. The defence minister allowed the indigenous programme to continue.

In 2009, when a global tender was floated to buy 75 trainer aircraft, the IAF diluted the existing performance benchmarks, allowing the Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainer into the contract (July 30, 2013, “Air Force diluted at least twelve benchmarks for trainer aircraft, allowing Pilatus into the contract”).

But the HTT-40 still stands in the way of import. The defence procurement procedure (DPP) mandates the highest procurement priority for “Indian designed, developed and manufactured (IDDM)” equipment – a category the HTT-40 falls in. The MoD and HAL remain committed to backing the HTT-40, which is likely to complete testing by December, according to HAL officials.

Currently, approval exists for buying 106 HTT-40 trainers. If the IAF is permitted to import 38 Pilatus trainers, the number of indigenous trainers will fall to 68 aircraft.

These bastards are neck deep in corruption thats why they are doing everything in their power to shut down indigenous weapon programs.

 

[Shaitan]

These bastards are neck deep in corruption thats why they are doing everything in their power to shut down indigenous weapon programs.

The funniest is the IA programs. Boy, the stuff of legend must be happening right now over there.

 

[sathya]

how does it compare vis a vis super mushaks of porkis??
i mean they are already exporting trainers

Both airframe s are proven design, adopted as low risk approach. Super Mushk I don't what they even did with interiors or they simply adopted everything as well.

HTT 40 has completed 3 continuous turns as of now. Required 6 for completion.

 

[sathya]

Pilatus is already in the Job, no point ceasing altogether everything now. It's like shooting in the foot.

Get maintenance contract first from Swiss company itself ( read its very expensive and to source from individual companies will be a head ache)

Use it extensively for training..

Only HTT 40 is ready for induction, retire Pilatus early.

And make sure a order is issued preventing maintenance night mare like this never happen again.

 

[Prashant12]

HTT-40 trials are in their last phase. We're doing 2-turn spins regularly. A smooth & safe 6-turn spin, capable of execution by young pilots, is being demonstrated. The aircraft will enter full service soon. There's no hunt. HTT-40 is getting inducted.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

With HTFE 25 engine, this plane shall have new application beyond just training. I want to see it in service soon.

 

[Chinmoy]

With black listing of Pilatus, we might see impetus on HTT-40 now.

 

[HariPrasad-1]

With HTFE 25 engine, this plane shall have new application beyond just training. I want to see it in service soon.

Please ignore above comment. Posted in wrong thread.

 

[Armand2REP]

With black listing of Pilatus, we might see impetus on HTT-40 now.

If you notice the blacklisting is only for one year. It gives HAL a small window but if it doesn't deliver they will go right back to the Suisse.

 

[Wisemarko]

Hope PC-7 doesn’t crash killing the pilot due to lack of spares and service. Such a stupid decision to block a company.

 

[Chinmoy]

If you notice the blacklisting is only for one year. It gives HAL a small window but if it doesn't deliver they will go right back to the Suisse.

For one whole year IAF would be unable to get spares for its existing fleet too.
Going by MOD procedure even after 1 year Pilatus would have to toil for another year to participate in any tender, if there is one. So take it 1 year official and 1 year unofficial ban for them.

 

[vampyrbladez]

For one whole year IAF would be unable to get spares for its existing fleet too.
Going by MOD procedure even after 1 year Pilatus would have to toil for another year to participate in any tender, if there is one. So take it 1 year official and 1 year unofficial ban for them.

Spares are allowed for previous deals going by AW blacklisting. Situation may not be affected that badly.

the exceptions allowed were meant only to help defence preparedness by ensuring that the supplies which were in the pipeline, including spares, were not jeopardised.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/de...sh-deals-are-on-hold/articleshow/52021613.cms

 

[Chinmoy]

Spares are allowed for previous deals going by AW blacklisting. Situation may not be affected that badly.



https://m.economictimes.com/news/de...sh-deals-are-on-hold/articleshow/52021613.cms

The ban, which strictly prohibits any business dealings with the Swiss firm, will mean that the air force needs to find alternate sources for spares and parts for the existing fleet of basic trainers that are used for the initial stage training of its pilots. The air force operates 75 of the Pilatus PC 7 Mk1 aircraft.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...rruption-allegations/articleshow/70231269.cms

 

[vampyrbladez]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...rruption-allegations/articleshow/70231269.cms

As per DPP 2016, spares are generally not affected. If AW is not affected this much, Pilatus may squeak through.

 

[Chinmoy]

As per DPP 2016, spares are generally not affected. If AW is not affected this much, Pilatus may squeak through.

In its November 7 meeting, DAC also approved the much awaited policy on blacklisting of defence companies involved in bribery and other transgressions. The policy is expected to be uploaded on the ministry’s website within a few days. Though not the main cause, blacklisting of companies in the past has indeed resulted in MoD scoring many a self-goal. Several procurement programmes, ranging from ammunition to guns, ran aground because of the blacklisting of the potential suppliers. More damaging is the long period of suspension of dealings with the potential supplier preceding the actual blacklisting.

There have been instances of dealings with companies being put on hold even if there were no allegations against them but they happened to be the sister concern of another company facing corruption charges. Suspending dealings with or blacklisting an entire group of companies for wrong doing on the part of one of the subsidiaries is counterproductive. For example, India’s new conventional submarine, INS Kalvari has sailed out into sea for trials without being equipped with the Black Shark torpedoes because the Italian firm WASS that makes the torpedoes happens to be a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, the holding company of AgustaWestland which figures in the bribery scandal surrounding purchase of VVIP helicopters.

https://www.indiastrategic.in/2016/11/29/defence-procurement-and-blacklisting-policy/

So you see, under DPP 2016, it has been taken care that blacklisting of one subsidiary should not effect dealing with the parent company. So exemption is there for Finmeccanica under DPP 2016. But even now that is getting effected.

The whole Pilatus is another ball game. Although there is no official announcement on spare parts as of now, but going by the deal and timing of blacklisting, it seems that spare supply too would get effected.

 

[abingdonboy]

If you notice the blacklisting is only for one year. It gives HAL a small window but if it doesn't deliver they will go right back to the Suisse.

Pilatus is toxic now just like AW- nothing ever proven there (yet) but still damage is done.

BJP govt certainly won’t want to be seen handing them any follow on contracts for a long long time.


Hope HAL gets their act together and delivers HTT40 ASAP. golden opportunity this, literally an open goal.

 

[IndianHawk]

Pilatus is toxic now just like AW- nothing ever proven there (yet) but still damage is done.

BJP govt certainly won’t want to be seen handing them any follow on contracts for a long long time.


Hope HAL gets their act together and delivers HTT40 ASAP. golden opportunity this, literally an open goal.

If only we could blacklist a few more foreign firms then we will be forced to build and buy indegenios alternatives.

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