Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Delivers First 3 HTT-40 Basic Trainers and 2 Tejas Trainers to Indian Air Force

India – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the first three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft and two LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance twin-seat trainers to the Indian Air Force (IAF), adding new aircraft at both the ab-initio and fighter-training stages of the service’s pilot development pipeline. The handover took place in Bengaluru on September 18, 2026.

• The two Tejas aircraft are the final twin-seat aircraft under the existing FOC contract, while the three HTT-40s begin deliveries under the IAF’s 70-aircraft basic trainer procurement.
• India’s Ministry of Defence signed the HTT-40 contract with HAL in March 2023 for 70 aircraft at ₹6,828.36 crore (approximately US$709 million). The procurement also includes associated equipment and training aids, including simulator capability, to support introduction of the new basic trainer fleet.
• The HTT-40 is intended for newly inducted pilots and supports basic flying, aerobatics, instrument flying, navigation, night flying and close-formation training. The tandem-seat aircraft incorporates a glass cockpit, zero-zero ejection seats and modern navigation and communication avionics.
• The aircraft is powered by Honeywell’s TPE331-12B turboprop. Honeywell delivered the first three production engines to HAL in 2026 and plans to supply the initial 16 before HAL begins local engine assembly and expands in-country maintenance capability.
• The two-seat Tejas trainers support the later stage of the IAF training pipeline, allowing pilots to train on the core systems and operational characteristics of the frontline Tejas platform before or alongside squadron operations. The September delivery completes the two-seat portion of the FOC contract.
• AFM previously reported that the first series-production HTT-40 completed its first flight on October 24, 2025. The wider 70-aircraft procurement includes a Full Mission Simulator, extending the program beyond aircraft deliveries into synthetic training capability.
• HAL manufactures the HTT-40 through its Bengaluru and Nashik production infrastructure. The original IAF requirement also provided an option for a further 38 aircraft beyond the contracted 70.
• The same September 18 ceremony included delivery of four Dhruv Next Generation civil helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited. Those aircraft are separate from the IAF pilot-training procurement and are intended for civil roles including passenger transport, emergency medical services and offshore logistics.
• The HTT-40 has a maximum permissible speed of 450 km/h, a service ceiling of 6,000 metres and a maximum training load factor of +6/-3g. Its Honeywell TPE331-12B engine is rated at up to 1,100 shp in HAL’s published specifications.

About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is an Indian aerospace and defense manufacturer producing fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, engines and associated systems for military and civil customers. 

Source: India Ministry of Defence – Press Information Bureau