HAL’s first production HTT-40 completes maiden flight
The maiden flight of the first production HTT-40 trainer comes more than a decade behind the original schedule.
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The first production-series Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) successfully completed its maiden flight on Friday at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities in Bengaluru, marking a decisive step forward for one of India’s most symbolic and long-delayed defense aviation programs.
The aircraft, designated TH-4001, is the first of the production batch intended for the Indian Air Force (IAF). HAL officially confirmed the event on its institutional account, describing the HTT-40 as a “fully aerobatic, tandem-seat, turboprop aircraft designed for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument and night flying.”
A long path toward self-reliance
The HTT-40 program has been lengthy and often controversial. Originally conceived to replace the accident-prone HPT-32 Deepak, the project began in the early 2010s but soon suffered from delays, budget overruns, and skepticism within the Indian Air Force. The service temporarily turned to 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainers from Switzerland, leaving HAL’s domestic effort in uncertainty.
A turning point came with India’s “Make in India” strategy, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthening the national defense industrial base. In 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the purchase of 106 HTT-40 aircraft in a deal worth approximately USD 1.17 billion, securing the program’s future and reaffirming the government’s commitment to technological self-sufficiency.
The maiden flight of the first production aircraft—over a decade behind the initial schedule—nonetheless represents a major political and industrial milestone. The HTT-40 has evolved into a symbol of India’s determination to sustain a sovereign aerospace industry, even amid institutional resistance and procurement controversies.
Technical features and training role
The HTT-40 is a low-wing, tandem-seat, all-metal basic trainer powered by a Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop engine. It is designed for basic, aerobatic, instrument, and night flight training, featuring a modern glass cockpit and digital avionics suite.
HAL confirmed that full-rate production is underway, with deliveries to the Indian Air Force expected following certification and acceptance trials. The HTT-40 will serve as the foundation of India’s pilot training pipeline, preparing future fighter pilots before they transition to advanced jet trainers such as the Hawk 132, and reinforcing India’s long-term goal of self-reliance in defense aerospace manufacturing.
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