Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the first batch of HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), but the future pace of deliveries will depend heavily on a steady supply of engines from US-based Honeywell, officials familiar with the programme said.
The IAF has ordered 70 HTT-40 aircraft under a ₹6,838-crore contract signed three years ago. The aircraft are being developed to strengthen the training system for new pilots entering the Air Force.
HAL had originally planned to deliver 12 HTT-40 aircraft during the 2025-26 financial year. However, the deliveries could not take place as scheduled because of shortages of the TPE331-12B turboprop engines supplied by Honeywell.
Honeywell has faced supply-chain difficulties but began delivering engines to HAL a few months ago. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said the company expects the situation to improve and engine supplies to become more stable from next year.
“There is an engine-related issue,” Ravi K said, pointing to supply-chain problems involving Honeywell's suppliers. He said the US company had promised to supply six engines by December and was also exploring alternative sources to overcome the bottlenecks.
According to the HAL chief, aircraft production itself is progressing as planned and the company is prepared to increase production once engine availability improves.
On September 18, HAL handed over three HTT-40 aircraft and two LCA Mk-1 trainers to the IAF. It also handed over four Dhruv NG civil helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited.
The HTT-40 is designed as the first major training aircraft for pilots beginning their flying careers. At present, rookie IAF pilots undergo Stage-I training on the Swiss-origin Pilatus PC-7 MkII. After completing the initial stage, pilots are divided into fighter, transport and helicopter streams.
Those selected for fighter training continue to advanced stages using the PC-7 MkII, Kiran Mk-1A and later Hawk advanced jet trainers before moving on to supersonic fighter aircraft. Pilots in the transport and helicopter streams undergo further training on aircraft and helicopters suited to their respective roles.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently highlighted the importance of the HTT-40, saying India had relied on imported aircraft for basic pilot training for years but was now manufacturing the trainer domestically. He also said the aircraft had potential for exports.
The HTT-40 programme involves technology transfer from Honeywell. Under a $100-million agreement signed four years ago, Honeywell is contracted to supply 16 TPE331-12B engines, while HAL will manufacture the remaining engines and kits using transferred technology.
To support faster production, HAL has established additional manufacturing capacity. Production lines for the HTT-40 and LCA Mk-1A were inaugurated at Nashik last year. With facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik, HAL can now produce up to 20 HTT-40 aircraft annually.
The tandem-seat trainer features an air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot-refuelling capability and zero-zero ejection seats, allowing pilots to eject safely even at low speeds and low altitudes.
The aircraft currently has around 56 per cent indigenous content. HAL plans to raise the local content beyond 60 per cent through further development and localisation of major components and subsystems.
With production infrastructure in place, the availability of Honeywell engines remains a key factor in determining how quickly HAL can fulfil the IAF's 70-aircraft order.
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