IAF starts process to look for 150 new-gen jet trainers to replace Hawk fleet

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has commenced the process of procuring 150 new generation jet trainers to modernize its aircraft fleet for training future pilots. The IAF has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to Indian and global manufacturers to gather details about the capabilities of potential suppliers. The tender, titled "trainer aircraft for Stage-III (F) and associated equipment," was issued to interested parties with responses due by October 5th.

The Stage-III (F) trainers will serve as the final stage in the training sequence before pilots transfer to operational fighter squadrons. These aircraft will acquaint rookie pilots with advanced systems such as airborne radars, electronic warfare systems, and beyond-visual-range missiles, before they graduate to frontline combat jets like the Rafale and Tejas. In the long run, these trainers will also aid in the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

HAL HLFT-42, an indigenous supersonic Lead-In Fighter Trainer, is the primary candidate for this procurement. However, other potential suppliers could include Leonardo M-346 Master from Italy, KAI/Lockheed Martin T-50 Golden Eagle from South Korea, Yakovlev Yak-130 from Russia, and Boeing/Saab T-7A Red Hawk from the United States.

The RFI process is expected to conclude by December 2027, with the delivery of the new trainers within 60 months of the contract's effective date. This significant procurement aims to overhaul the IAF's pilot training pipeline, bridging the substantial operational gap between basic turboprop trainers and high-performance 4.5 and 5th-generation combat jets.