HTT-40 Ready To Train Next Gen Air Warriors; First Indigenous Trainer Aircraft Takes To Skies In Bengaluru
First HTT-40 series production aircraft took its maiden flight in Bengaluru on Friday. Image courtesy: RNA
An eight-year long wait has finally ended, resulting in a major milestone for India’s aviation space. The airspace has become clear for self-reliant pilot, as first indigenous Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) Series Production aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight in Bengaluru.
Christened TH-4001, the HTT-40 aircraft represents the beginning of a new era in training India’s next generation of air warriors. Developed by leading defence PSU HAL, the HTT-40 is a fully aerobatic, tandem-seat turboprop trainer built to equip young IAF cadets with the skills required for basic flying, aerobatics, instrument navigation, and night operations.
HAL in a social media post on Friday (October 24, 2025) said, “The first Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) Series Production aircraft, TH 4001, which will train the next generation Air Warriors, took to the skies at the HAL facility in Bengaluru today.”
HTT-40: Why is the aircraft so significant for the IAF?
The flight of TH-4001 marks the first Series Production model – the version produced from HAL’s industrial assembly line, from which all future HTT-40 trainers will emerge. This step transitions the project from development to full-scale production, paving the way for the aircraft’s operational induction into the IAF.
The HTT-40 first flew on May 31, 2016 and obtained system-level certification on June 6, 2022.
Around two years ago in 2023, the Defence Ministry had signed a Rs 6,800-crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 70 HTT-40 aircraft to meet the IAF’s long-standing need for basic trainers. The newly-flown TH-4001 will be among the first to join the Air Force’s training fleet.
What challenges lie ahead before HTT-40’s induction?
While the prototype phase has been underway for eight years, the production model now awaits final operational clearance, expected within the next few months. However, HAL’s delivery timeline has faced a hurdle due to delays in the supply of TPE331-12B turboprop engines from US manufacturer Honeywell.
Hindustan Aeronautics had planned to deliver the first aircraft by September 2025, but engine delays have pushed back this target. Once cleared and delivered, the HTT-40 will begin filling a critical gap in the IAF’s training infrastructure.
How HAL’s HTT-40 will strengthen India’s pilot training ecosystem?
At present, the force relies on Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainers after retiring HAL’s HPT-32 “Deepak” in 2014. The IAF, however, operates only 75 Pilatus aircraft, while it requires 181 basic trainers in total. The remaining demand of over 100 aircraft is expected to be fulfilled by the indigenous HTT-40.
This shortage of trainers has long constrained pilot intake and training throughput. The induction of HTT-40 is, therefore, not just a technological milestone but also a strategic necessity for sustaining the IAF’s operational readiness.
Approved in 2011, the HTT-40 has taken nearly 15 years of development to reach the production stage. Yet, its journey epitomises India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. The aircraft currently comprises 56% indigenous content, which HAL plans to increase beyond 60% through local sourcing of key systems and components.
Just last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated HAL’s second HTT-40 production line in Nashik, accelerating manufacturing to meet the IAF’s requirements.
