Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over the first three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, full-scale training operations may take up to two years as the air force builds its fleet and trains flying instructors, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.

The first HTT-40 was delivered in Bengaluru on September 18, marking a key milestone in India's indigenous aircraft programme. The IAF will deploy the aircraft to train rookie pilots at the Air Force Academy near Hyderabad after acquiring 25-30 aircraft and preparing enough instructors.

“The HTT-40 trainers will initially be stationed at the Flying Instructors’ School in Tambaram near Chennai to train instructors who will eventually teach rookie pilots how to fly the aircraft,” said one of the officials cited above.

The instructors will develop standard operating procedures for the HTT-40, prepare the training syllabus and establish proficiency standards for trainee pilots, a second official said. The aircraft will help beginners develop essential flying skills.

The IAF ordered 70 HTT-40 aircraft for ₹6,838 crore three years ago to meet its growing pilot training requirements. Deliveries faced delays due to supply chain bottlenecks affecting Honeywell's TPE331-12B turboprop engines. These disruptions are now expected to ease.

Under a $100 million contract signed four years ago for 88 engines and kits, Honeywell will supply 16 engines directly. HAL will manufacture the remaining units under a technology transfer agreement.

Once engine supplies stabilise, HAL can produce up to 20 HTT-40 aircraft annually at its facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik. The tandem-seat aircraft features an air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot refuelling capability and zero-zero ejection seats, which enable safe ejection at low speeds and altitudes.

The HTT-40 currently has 56% indigenous content. HAL aims to raise this figure to more than 60% by indigenising major components and subsystems.

The IAF currently uses Swiss-origin Pilatus PC-7 MkII aircraft for Stage-I flying training. After this common stage, pilots split into fighter, transport and helicopter streams. Fighter pilots proceed to Stage-II training on the PC-7 MkII and Kiran Mk-1A jet trainers, followed by Stage-III training on British-origin Hawk advanced jet trainers. They then qualify to fly supersonic fighters, including Rafale, Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft. Transport and helicopter pilots complete their subsequent training on different aircraft and helicopters.