HAL hands IAF two Tejas, HTT-40 aircraft; Pawan Hans gets Dhruv NG chopper

The Indian Air Force is set to get stronger. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is handing over two new aircraft to the Air Force in Bengaluru on September 18, 2026. One is the LCA Tejas FOC, a two-seat trainer aircraft, and the other is the HTT-40, a basic trainer aircraft. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu will also be present at the event. Besides this, Pawan Hans Limited will also receive a gift, a Dhruv Next Generation, or Dhruv NG, helicopter.

The new Tejas trainer aircraft will allow Air Force pilots to be trained better on flying modern fighter jets. Because it has two seats, an instructor and a trainee pilot can sit together in the same aircraft during training. The HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft is considered important for the initial training of new pilots.

The LCA Tejas FOC is an advanced fighter trainer aircraft developed by HAL itself. It is a two-seat supersonic jet. Its main purpose is to train new Air Force pilots to fly fighter aircraft, but it is not built for training alone. If required, it can also strike the enemy like an actual fighter aircraft. It is fitted with a modern glass cockpit and radar system and is fully capable of firing precision weapons and air-to-air missiles.

The HTT-40 is a turboprop trainer aircraft designed and built entirely in India. It will be used to teach new Air Force cadets the initial stages of flying. It will be the first step for young pilots when they begin learning to fly. It is fitted with modern digital screens and advanced safety equipment. It also has a zero-zero ejection seat to save the pilot in an emergency. The aircraft maintains good stability even at low speeds, making flight training safer.

The Dhruv Next Generation helicopter that Pawan Hans Limited will receive is seen as an important step for the country's civil aviation sector. It is a modern civil version of the Advanced Light Helicopter. Pawan Hans will use it for VIP travel and to improve connectivity in remote areas. It will also be used to deliver relief material and staff to offshore oil platforms. It has two powerful engines, which keep flights safe even in bad weather. Its new cabin is more comfortable than before and it is fitted with modern navigation equipment.

According to the Ministry of Defence, this is a big and historic step towards promoting indigenous technology and domestic defence production. The handing over of these aircraft and the helicopter will further strengthen India's indigenous capability in the defence sector.