Hindustan Aeronautics will later today deliver three different aircraft types to customers.
The IAF will receive the first Hindustan Turbo Trainer 40 (HTT-40) Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) along with two Tejas Mk-1 trainers in Final Operational Clearance Configuration (FOC), the latter completing a contract signed in 2010.
Hindustan Aeronautics has also cleared the air on the delays in deliveries of the Tejas Mk-1 FOC trainers, which were ordered by the IAF in 2010. The air force contract for 16 Tejas Mk-1 single-seat aircraft and four FOC twin-seaters was placed in 2010.
HAL will also deliver four Dhruv Next Generation (NG) helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), marking the commencement of deliveries of the airframer’s newest civilian variant of the Dhruv military helicopter.
Hindustan Aeronautics has also cleared the air on the delays in deliveries of the Tejas Mk-1 FOC trainers, which were ordered by the IAF in 2010. The air force contract for 16 Tejas Mk-1 single-seat aircraft and four FOC twin-seaters was placed in 2010.
Trainer Delay
HAL says the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) achieved the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) milestone for the Tejas Mk1 in 2019, following which the company delivered all 16 Tejas FOC single-seat aircraft during 2022-23.
However, the Release to Service (RSD) milestone for the Twin Seater was achieved by ADA only in September 2023.
Two Twin Seaters SPT5 and SPT6 were delivered to the IAF in 2024-25 and the final two Twin Seaters under the FOC contract, SPT7 and SPT8 were produced in 2024–25.
Trainer Upgrade
The Software Defined Radio (SDR) was incorporated on SPT7 and SPT8 between November–December 2025. The two twin-seaters being delivered today are SPT 7 and SPT 8 were earmarked for enhancements.
These included: improved radar performance, autopilot handling, fuel-system improvements, incorporation of Software Defined Radio (SDR) for enabling secure communications during operations and incorporation of air-to-air refueling probes.
HAL says all trainers to be delivered as part of the 83 aircraft contract will essentially be in Mk-1 FOC configuration with enhanced capabilities. However, the trainers produced as part of a follow-on 97 aircraft contract will incorporate the capabilities of the Mk1A fighter.
These will include incorporation of an AESA radar, EW suite, avionics upgrades, modernised mission and display systems and IRNSS, Elbit DASH V HMDAS. Also to be integrated are a new-generation Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and additional weapons capabilities, including ASRAAM and BVR weapons. Several maintainability improvements will also be made.
HAL says it plans to progressively deliver 29 Mk1A Twin Seater aircraft to the IAF by 2033–34.
Related Coverage:
HAL Signs Aravalli Engine Development Contract with Safran
HAL Awards LCH Fuselage Production Contracts to Adani Defence, BEML
Indigenous Netra AEW&C Fleet Receives Final Operational Clearance
