HAL set to deliver first batch of delayed trainer aircraft to Indian Air Force
Three HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) aircraft, two built at Bengaluru and one at Nashik, are ready for delivery by HAL.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to deliver the first batch of delayed HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, addressing the air force's increasing pilot training needs, according to officials familiar with the situation. The three HTT-40 aircraft, two built in Bengaluru and one in Nashik, are ready for delivery, the officials said without disclosing their names.
Initially, the Indian Air Force had ordered 70 basic trainers for ₹6,838 crore in 2022 to train new pilots. However, HAL missed the delivery deadline in fiscal 2025-26 due to a lack of engines. US company Honeywell resolved supply chain issues and delivered the first batch of TPE331-12B turboprop engines a few months ago, assuring HAL of consistent supplies.
Under a $100 million contract, Honeywell is to supply 16 units while HAL will build the remaining engines through technology transfer. A defence ministry official announced the inauguration of production lines for HTT-40 and LCA-Mk1A trainers in Nashik last October to meet the air force's demands. Currently, Stage-I flying training for all trainee pilots is carried out on Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainers.
Post-training, pilots are divided into fighter, transport, and helicopter streams, with Stage-II training on PC-7 MkII and Kiran Mk-1A jet trainers before Stage-III training on British-origin Hawk advanced jet trainers.
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