IJT

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is extending the life of its ageing HJT-16 Kiran basic trainer jet aircraft fleet due to the inordinate delay in the development of an intermediate jet trainer (IJT).

Being developed by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), the HJT-36 Sitara IJT has been delayed by several years.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said: "HAL, which has been developing the IJT, as a replacement for the Kiran aircraft, has not so far been able to resolve critical wing and airframe design and development issues related to stall and spin.

"The IAF has also initiated action to look for alternate options for the IJT."

"Several Kiran variants are being used by the IAF to conduct intermediate stage of flight training for new pilots."

Several Kiran variants, including Mark I, IA and the more advanced Mark II, are being used by the IAF to conduct intermediate stage of flight training for new pilots.

See Also:

The Rolls Royce Viper turbojet-powered aircraft is scheduled to complete its technical life in the next two years.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Under development since 1997, HJT-36 Sitara has low swept wings and tandem cockpit. It is designed to provide high-speed training for pilots entering level II training.

Delays due to developmental problems prompted the service to purchase new trainers from abroad.

According to media reports, the Ministry of Defence issued a request for information (RFI) this year to foreign companies for a new jet trainer with a secondary light attack capability.

Image: A HJT-36 intermediate jet trainer prototype in its hangar at HAL, Bangalore. Photo: courtesy of Ajai Shukla.

Defence Technology