Archive · 19 Sep 2026
HAL Delivers Tejas, HTT-40 Trainers and Dhruv NG Helicopters
HAL, an Indian aircraft company, delivered three kinds of aircraft.
Two Tejas trainer jets went to the Indian Air Force.
Three HTT-40 planes also went to the Air Force to help new pilots learn basic flying.
Four Dhruv NG helicopters went to Pawan Hans for civilian work.
The Tejas helps pilots practise flying fighter aircraft with an instructor.
The HTT-40 is used for lessons such as aerobatics, navigation and night flying.
The Dhruv NG has modern equipment and safety features for civil aviation.
The handover ceremony happened in Bengaluru and was presented as progress in building aircraft in India.
HAL handed over two LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers to the Indian Air Force, completing deliveries under the FOC contract.
Three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft were handed over to the IAF, beginning deliveries under a 70-aircraft contract.
Four civil-certified Dhruv Next Generation helicopters were delivered to Pawan Hans for commercial aviation operations.
The ceremony took place in Bengaluru on Friday, September 18, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu present.
HAL described the handovers as a milestone for India’s aerospace self-reliance and domestic civil and military aviation ecosystem.
- Who
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over aircraft to the Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans Limited; Rajnath Singh and K. Rammohan Naidu attended.
- What
- HAL delivered two LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers, three HTT-40 basic trainers and four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters.
- When
- Friday, September 18; the year was not specified in the reports.
- Where
- HAL’s facility in Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- The deliveries support Indian military pilot training, civil helicopter operations and the development of India’s domestic aerospace industry.
- Tejas delivery
- Two LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance twin-seat trainers completed deliveries under the FOC contract.
- HTT-40 delivery
- Three HTT-40 basic trainers began deliveries under a 70-aircraft contract valued at Rs 6,838 crore.
- Dhruv NG delivery
- Four civil-certified Dhruv Next Generation helicopters were delivered to Pawan Hans from a 10-helicopter order worth more than Rs 1,800 crore.
- Tejas role
- The lightweight, all-weather, 4.5-generation aircraft is designed mainly for IAF training while retaining fighter-operation capability.
- HTT-40 role
- The indigenously designed turboprop trainer supports aerobatics, general handling, instrument flying, navigation, night flying and close-formation flying.
- Dhruv NG features
- The helicopter includes a civil-certified glass cockpit, modern avionics, advanced navigation, crashworthy seats, self-sealing fuel tanks and twin-engine redundancy.
- Reported HTT-40 count
- Most reports state that three HTT-40 aircraft were handed over; one account refers more generally to the first HTT-40 delivery.
Sources
HAL hands over Tejas trainers, HTT-40 to IAF; Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans
HAL Hands Over Tejas Trainers, Dhruv Helicopters
Why HAL’s three major aircraft handovers matter to India
India's Aerospace Future Takes Flight With HAL Deliveries
HAL hands over Tejas trainers, HTT-40 to IAF
