HAL set to deliver 2 LCA MK-1 trainers, first batch of HTT-40 trainers to IAF on Friday; will hand over 4 Dhruv NG copters to Pawan Hans

NEW DELHI:In a big boost for the country’s air force, leading defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will hand over two light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1) trainers and first batch of long-pending three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force on Friday at its facility in Bengaluru in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh, civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. In the same ceremony, HAL will deliver four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans.The delivery of the last two twin-seat LCA FOC trainers will close the 40-aircraft Mk-1 order, placed by the IAF in two tranches, in March 2006 and Dec 2010. Thirty-eight of the 40 aircraft had already been handed over, with the final two twin-seat trainers ready to wrap up the initial contract.This will be the first batch of three long-delayed HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the IAF following the clearance of engine supplies from Honeywell. Deliveries were earlier stalled due to global supply chain bottlenecks for Honeywell TPE331-12B turboprop engines. The first batch is part of the defence ministry’s Rs 6,838-crore contract signed in March 2023 for 70 HTT-40 aircraft meant for basic pilot training.The HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft serves as an ab-initio (foundational) training platform for newly-inducted IAF pilots, replacing retired legacy trainers. The aircraft will be used for flight training, aerobatics, instrument and formation flying, and night and navigation flights. Powered by a Honeywell turboprop engine, the aircraft reaches speeds up to 450 km/h with a 1,000 km range and features an air-conditioned glass cockpit, digital/analog avionics, and Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seats.The Dhruv NG, a next-generation civil helicopter, can be used for multiple applications, including VVIP transportation, offshore operations, air ambulance services and helicopter pilgrimage operations. It has received type certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).After delivery of the complete batch of LCA Mk-1, HAL will now focus on the pending twin orders for 180 Tejas Mk1A jets — 83 aircraft ordered in Feb 2021 (worth approx Rs 48,000 crore) and 97 aircraft ordered in Sept 2025 (worth Rs 62,370 crore).