HAL has delivered two Tejas FOC trainers and three HTT-40 aircraft to the IAF, along with four Dhruv NG civil helicopters to Pawan Hans.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has handed over two LCA Tejas twin-seat trainers and the first three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, strengthening India’s domestically produced military-training fleet.
HAL also delivered the first batch of four Dhruv Next Generation civil helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited during a ceremony in Bengaluru on September 18. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu attended the event.
Tejas FOC Trainer Deliveries Completed
The two Tejas aircraft were delivered in Final Operational Clearance configuration. Their handover completes the supply of all four twin-seat trainers ordered under the FOC contract.
Designed primarily for fighter-pilot training, the twin-seat Tejas retains many of the operational systems used by the single-seat fighter. Its features include digital avionics, a glass cockpit, fly-by-wire flight controls, advanced composite materials and an air-to-air refuelling probe.
The latest aircraft also received upgrades covering radar performance, autopilot handling, communications software and the fuel system, according to The Financial Express.
HTT-40 Deliveries Begin
The delivery of three HTT-40 aircraft begins execution of the Defence Ministry’s contract for 70 basic trainers. The aircraft has been formally named Ankur by the IAF.
Developed by HAL’s Aircraft Research and Design Centre, the turboprop trainer can support basic flying, aerobatics, navigation, instrument flying, night operations and formation training. It has approximately 57% indigenous content.
Dhruv NG Enters Civil Operations
The four Dhruv NG helicopters delivered to Pawan Hans are part of an order for 10 aircraft. The remaining six are expected to be supplied subsequently.
The 5.5-tonne twin-engine helicopter can carry as many as 14 passengers and is designed for offshore duties, regional connectivity, medical evacuation, tourism, search and rescue, disaster response and utility operations.
The delivery represents HAL’s expansion into the commercial civil-helicopter sector. The Times of India reported that the company is also approaching state governments about possible civilian applications.
Rajnath Singh called the handover an important milestone but said defence projects must follow realistic timelines to prevent cost escalation and technological obsolescence.
About the Author
