HAL hands over 2 Tejas trainers, 3 HTT-40 aircraft to Indian Air Force

The aircraft were handed over in Bengaluru in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

In Short

• HAL delivered two Tejas trainers, three HTT-40 basic trainers to IAF
• Tejas trainers to train IAF pilots for frontline fighter operations
• Dhruv NG helicopters configured for civilian use

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday handed over two Tejas twin-seat trainer aircraft and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the Indian Air Force, along with four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited.

The aircraft were handed over in Bengaluru in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

The two Tejas trainers are the final aircraft to be delivered under the Final Operational Clearance contract. They will be used to train IAF pilots for frontline fighter operations while retaining the core systems and combat capabilities of the operational Tejas aircraft.

The HTT-40s will be used for the initial training of military pilots. The indigenous turboprop aircraft can support aerobatics, instrument flying, navigation, night flying and formation training.

The four Dhruv NG helicopters have been configured for civilian use and will be operated by Pawan Hans for passenger transport, emergency medical services and offshore logistics.

RAJNATH FLAGS DELAYS IN DEFENCE PROJECTS

Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh asked HAL to set realistic timelines for its technical projects, warning that delays could affect critical defence requirements.

He said project delays could also increase costs and raise the risk of technologies becoming obsolete before they are inducted.

Singh called on HAL to expand its capacity across aircraft design, development, manufacturing, certification, maintenance and global marketing.

He said India needed to build domestic capabilities in aircraft design, avionics, propulsion, composite materials, flight-control systems and certification to meet both military and civilian aviation requirements.

The Defence Minister also called for greater cooperation between public-sector companies and private manufacturers in developing next-generation aerospace systems.

He identified artificial intelligence, autonomous platforms, unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, cybertechnology and next-generation propulsion as areas requiring domestic development.

HTT-40 TO REPLACE IMPORTED TRAINERS

Singh said India had relied on imported aircraft for basic pilot training for several years and that the HTT-40 would help reduce this dependence.

HAL designed and developed the aircraft to meet the primary training requirements of the armed forces. It has a modern cockpit and avionics suite and is designed for low-speed handling required during early-stage pilot training.

Singh also said the aircraft could potentially be offered to international customers.

DHRUV NG ENTERS CIVIL OPERATIONS

Naidu said the induction of the Dhruv NG into civilian operations marked a step in HAL’s expansion beyond the defence market.

The helicopter has upgraded avionics, enhanced systems and a more powerful engine. HAL is positioning it for commercial transport, medical evacuation and offshore operations.

HAL chairman and managing director Ravi K said the delivery of the three aircraft types demonstrated the company’s ability to produce platforms for military and civilian requirements.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha also attended the event.

- Ends