Tejas Trainer Program Gains Momentum: Sixth Aircraft Nears Delivery

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) commitment to bolstering its training capabilities with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas continues to materialize, with the recent sighting of the sixth Tejas trainer at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) production facility.

Images of the Tejas trainer, designated LT 5206, indicate the aircraft is in the final stages of assembly. This marks a significant milestone following the delivery of the first twin-seater trainer (LT 5201) to the IAF in October 2023.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770772352013369461

These specialized trainers are designed to facilitate smoother pilot transition within IAF squadrons, prior to their assignment to the advanced single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighter.

Notably, an additional trainer, LT 5205, appears ready for delivery and is likely undergoing pre-flight taxi trials. These developments suggest a steady ramp-up of the Tejas trainer program.

The IAF has committed to acquiring 18 LCA Tejas twin-seater trainers. This strategic investment ensures that pilots converting from legacy aircraft will have access to a training platform tailored to the complexities of the Tejas Mk1A.

The growth of the IAF's Tejas trainer fleet underscores India's dedication to achieving self-reliance in pilot training, using its own domestically developed fighter aircraft.

By providing a seamless conversion path, the Tejas trainer will play a pivotal role in preparing a new generation of pilots for the IAF's future fleet of single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighters.

 

[Swanand Kulkarni]

Only 6 ?

 

[Pink Panther]

At least something is happening, that is good news.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Only 6 ?

Quota wala organization mei itne ka yaiich milengaa!!

 

[sanket]

Only 6 ?

plus two MK1A =8

 

[sanket]

HAL is steadily improving day by day From 2025/26 it may deliver 16 jets per year.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

HAL is steadily improving day by day From 2025/26 it may deliver 16 jets per year.

Aap ke muh mei ghee-shakkar.
If they improve, kudos to them.

 

[NSR]

I say it is right time to bring in a Private Company to establish another manufacturing plant to produce Tejas IA at maximum possible rate and give some competition to HAL.
HAL surely needs to adapt itself to work like Dassault which is also owned by French government and private equity.

India will not be able to meet the milestones of so many fighter development and manufacturing without changing the public companies practices.

 

[Akshat]

At least something is happening, that is good news.

They were supposed to deliver 18 trainers and then 3 mk1a by 3 Feb 2024. So not good news.

 

[Akshat]

HAL is steadily improving day by day From 2025/26 it may deliver 16 jets per year.

Improving? They were supposed to deliver all by Feb.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

They were supposed to deliver 18 trainers and then 3 mk1a by 3 Feb 2024. So not good news.

8 trainer and 2 MK1A by March'24

 

[Anurag]

They were supposed to deliver 18 trainers and then 3 mk1a by 3 Feb 2024. So not good news.

Well can you please explain your statement about the schedule of delivery that you are claiming?? Well simple is that I am not aware of this!!

 

[AK S]

I say it is right time to bring in a Private Company to establish another manufacturing plant to produce Tejas IA at maximum possible rate and give some competition to HAL.
HAL surely needs to adapt itself to work like Dassault which is also owned by French government and private equity.

India will not be able to meet the milestones of so many fighter development and manufacturing without changing the public companies practices.

Private player won’t enter … not as yet. Margins are low, initial capital is very high and order is not just low but erratic and on top they have to deal with Govt.

No wonder MoD waited few years for private participation in AMCA with no luck.

MoD, their master, must push them harder and slowly privatise them.

 

[AK S]

Improving? They were supposed to deliver all by Feb.

They are still short … but not by the margin that you claim. They were supposed to complete initial order and deliver 2 Mk1A from the new order of 83.

If they can deliver 6 trainers + 2 Mk 1A this year, that will be serious improvement considering HAL. More so, these two are new types and generally first example with these kinds of improvements take much longer. For example, Dassault took nearly 3 years for the first example with some India specific enhancements and nearly five years for the first example with all enhancements. These were enhancements and not a new type. But comparison ends here … Dassault did what they committed.IAF gave them a much longer rope and we paid $1.5B for just the changes.

 

[Ashutosh]

They were supposed to deliver 18 trainers and then 3 mk1a by 3 Feb 2024. So not good news.

Not all 18
- trainers were to be given after / with formation of a squadron.

By Feb 24, they were supposed to deliver 8 trainers and 2 mk1as

 

[Anurag]

They are still short … but not by the margin that you claim. They were supposed to complete initial order and deliver 2 Mk1A from the new order of 83.

If they can deliver 6 trainers + 2 Mk 1A this year, that will be serious improvement considering HAL. More so, these two are new types and generally first example with these kinds of improvements take much longer. For example, Dassault took nearly 3 years for the first example with some India specific enhancements and nearly five years for the first example with all enhancements. These were enhancements and not a new type. But comparison ends here … Dassault did what they committed.IAF gave them a much longer rope and we paid $1.5B for just the changes.

If I recall exactly hal has to deliver 3 Mk1a and 8 trainer this year!! But if they are delivering 2 mk1a and 6 trainers by this month or next then it's ok but I really hope in the long run they will be able to deliver the remaining 2trainer and 1 Mk1a too!!

 

[Akshat]

Private player won’t enter … not as yet. Margins are low, initial capital is very high and order is not just low but erratic and on top they have to deal with Govt.

No wonder MoD waited few years for private participation in AMCA with no luck.

MoD, their master, must push them harder and slowly privatise them.

How are margins low at 22%? Or how is capex high when IAF pays more than enough advance to cover capex and opex for months?

I x ACM clearly said that ADA and HAL are not letting private players enter (AMCA).

 

[Akshat]

8 trainer and 2 MK1A by March'24

PIB release, the official source for all government information, mentioned 3 mk1a by 3 Feb 2024.

 

[Akshat]

Not all 18
- trainers were to be given after / with formation of a squadron.

By Feb 24, they were supposed to deliver 8 trainers and 2 mk1as

Your favorite Ananth has said that HAL is going to make all 18 before Mk1a. And PIB release said 3 mk1a on record. There can be no bigger source for any government related news/information. So you are again exposed lying to defend HAL. Now I hope you understand what exposed means.

And forget 18. Where are the 8+2?

 

[Akshat]

Well can you please explain your statement about the schedule of delivery that you are claiming?? Well simple is that I am not aware of this!!

As per Anantkrishnan, someone people in this forum (and otherwise favoring HAL) regard very highly, has given this schedule. This was also touted at the time of the deal signing for Mk1a. Even otherwise, at least 8 trainers and 3 mk1a were there. PIB release says that 3 mk1a were to be delivered within 36 months which expired on 3 Feb this year.