India's Trainer Aircraft Troubles Continue Amid Plans for New Advanced Jet Trainers
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been struggling to develop its own indigenous trainer aircraft, despite being one of the world's fastest-growing large economies and fourth most powerful military.
India had a private aircraft company called Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL), which was established in Bangalore in December 1940. It became a public sector defense production undertaking (DPSU), HAL, in October 1964.
The country's first fully indigenous-designed and developed aircraft was the HAL HT-2, a primary training aircraft for the IAF that made its first flight on August 5, 1951, and joined the IAF in 1955. The single-engine North American T-6/T-6G Harvard served as a Stage II trainer for the IAF, with hundreds of these aircraft being procured for training and auxiliary roles.
The HAL HPT-32, which replaced the HT-2, was also a propeller-driven basic trainer aircraft that made its maiden flight in January 1977 and entered IAF service in 1982. However, it had serious safety and engine reliability concerns and was grounded by the IAF in 2009 following 19 pilot fatalities across 17 major crashes.
The IAF has also issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure approximately 150 Next-Generation Stage-III Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) to replace the BAE Hawk Mk-132 aircraft, with responses expected by October 5, 2026. The new trainers are expected to have fly-by-wire controls, digital engine control, glass cockpits, and Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training capabilities.
The HTT-40, a tandem-seat basic trainer aircraft powered by a 1,100 hp turboprop engine, has faced several technical, supply chain, and institutional hurdles over the years. The project formally began in 2013 with internal funding of ₹350 crore from HAL, but has been plagued by delays, including excess weight, persistent supply chain disruptions, and the obsolescence of the Engine Electronic Controller (EEC) for the imported Honeywell TPE331-12B turboprop engine.