Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to deliver the first batch of HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, with three aircraft now ready for handover. Two of the aircraft have been built at Bengaluru and one at Nashik.
The IAF had ordered 70 HTT-40 aircraft for ₹6,838 crore to train rookie pilots. HAL was originally scheduled to deliver 12 aircraft during FY2025-26 but could not deliver any due to engine shortages. The supply situation has since improved after US-based Honeywell delivered the first batch of TPE331-12B turboprop engines.
HAL can now produce up to 20 HTT-40 aircraft annually across its Bengaluru and Nashik facilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated the Nashik production lines for the HTT-40 and LCA-Mk1A last October.
Separately, GE Aerospace has also shipped three F404-IN20 engines to HAL for the Tejas Mk1A programme, bringing the total number supplied for the programme to 10. The deliveries are expected to help ease another key production constraint in India’s indigenous fighter programme.
