CAG criticizes HAL over Intermediate Jet Trainer project

New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) criticized defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the delay in Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT). In its report, the constitutional body said the project has suffered delays due to incorrect selection of engine and delayed resolution of the ‘stall and spin’ function of the aircraft.

In its report tabled in Parliament, CAG said, the incorrect assessment of the required thrust and lack of clarity on Type A engines led to improper engine selection which in turn had a cascading effect on the Design and Development (D&D) process.

It further said, although stall tests were initiated quite early in the IJT programme, a lack of clarity on resolution of stall and spin issues and improper planning in the initial stages of the development process led to a delay of more than 20 years in the project.

HAL had initially identified one type of engine for the design and development phase. It procured a French engine on loan basis, which was then returned to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in June 2010.

The defence PSU placed an order for the second engine, AL-55i, from Russia in July 2005, and it was received in January 2009.

CAG said in its report that the integration of the second engine, which was a higher thrust engine after the build-up of the prototype, necessitated modifications as the aircraft failed to demonstrate the stall and spin characteristics.

The Ministry of Defence had sanctioned Rs 180 crore for the indigenous design and development of the project in 1999.

In its report, the national auditor flagged that HAL failed to deliver the aircraft to the IAF, despite having incurred an expenditure of Rs 710.08 crore as of March 2022.

The report concluded that the HAL should have anticipated the impact of integrating a new engine at a later stage and taken timely measures to resolve issues pertaining to spin and stall characteristics.

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