HAL hands over Tejas trainers, Dhruv NG helicopters and HTT-40 aircraft in Bengaluru

Two Tejas twin-seat trainer aircraft moved from HAL’s Bengaluru facilities to the Indian Air Force on September 18, completing deliveries under the Final Operational Clearance contract signed in 2010.

The contract covered 16 Light Combat Aircraft fighters and four twin-seaters. HAL said the trainers will support the IAF’s pilot-training pipeline, helping trainee pilots progress from the twin-seat platform to fighter aircraft.

At the same ceremony, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, HAL handed four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited. It marks the entry of the civil-certified Dhruv NG into civil aviation.

The 5.5-tonne, twin-engine helicopter has a configurable cabin for roles including passenger and utility transport, air ambulance services, offshore operations, disaster relief and search-and-rescue work. Singh formally named HAL’s HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft Ankur. HAL said its handover to the IAF begins deliveries under the Ministry of Defence contract for 70 aircraft.