HAL Set to Showcase Redeveloped HJT-36 Sitara Jet Trainer at Aero India 2025 After a Decade, Aims to Replace Aging Kiran Trainers

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to reintroduce its HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT) with a flying display at Aero India 2025. This marks a significant return for the domestically developed subsonic trainer, which has been absent from the prominent aerospace exhibition for over a decade due to technical hurdles and subsequent delays in its development program.

The HJT-36's history with Aero India has been turbulent. In 2007, a mishap during takeoff, where the aircraft's canopy unexpectedly unlocked, forced it off the runway and cast doubt on its operational readiness. Following further technical issues, HAL withdrew the Sitara from the 2009 edition of Aero India, leading to a prolonged period without public flight demonstrations.

Originally conceived in the late 1990s as a successor to the aging HJT-16 Kiran trainer aircraft, the HJT-36 first flew in 2003. Intended to modernize the Indian Air Force's training capabilities for fighter pilots, the project faced numerous challenges that impacted its development timeline and led to significant delays.

However, HAL appears to have overcome these obstacles. Recent reports indicate that critical design flaws have been addressed, and the aircraft now meets the stringent performance requirements for its role. The HJT-36's return to Aero India 2025 signals HAL's renewed confidence in the aircraft's capabilities and its readiness for operational deployment.

The flying display at Aero India 2025 will serve as a crucial platform to showcase the HJT-36's enhanced performance and reliability to both domestic and international audiences. As a cornerstone of India's indigenous defence manufacturing strategy, the Sitara's reemergence underscores HAL's dedication to developing self-reliant aerospace solutions. This event may also reignite interest in the aircraft for export, potentially expanding its role beyond training within the Indian Air Force.

The HJT-36's comeback is a pivotal moment for India's indigenous jet trainer program. Its success at Aero India 2025 will be closely observed as it represents a significant step towards fulfilling the Indian Air Force's training needs and bolstering India's position in the global aerospace market.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Sitara project is the biggest disaster in Indian aviation industry history. It has been over 25 years, and the aircraft has still not entered mass production. This has got to be a worldwide record when it comes to aircrafts.
This is not even an advanced aircraft, but a trainer, without advanced avionics, or any 5th gen stealth tech needed. We have still not been able to complete. Utterly and absolutely pathetic.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Has there been any aeronautical project undertaken in India by ADA/HAL/NAL, the penultimate version of which has seen the light of day?

HF-24 Marut - flew with an underpowered engine.
HF-24-Mk2 - Cancelled
HF-25 - Cancelled
ASA - Cancelled
GAF-1 - Cancelled
GAF-2 - Cancelled
HF-73 - Cancelled
HAC-33 - Cancelled
STOLTA - cancelled
MCA - Cancelled
LCA-Mk1A - Bencho, engine na milaa!!
LCA-Mk2 - Uncertain
TEDBF - Uncertain
HLFT-42 - Uncertain
AMCA-Mk1 - Uncertain
AMCA-Mk2 - Uncertain

Source for the names of most aircrafts listed above - Sankalan C.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Even Pakistan manufactures and exports basic trainers super Mushshaks. But we prefer imports if the product is available in international markets.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

We should encourage pvt sector to produce engines of 10-20 KN thrust which can be used for trainers and drones.

 

[Anant]

Even Pakistan manufactures and exports basic trainers super Mushshaks. But we prefer imports if the product is available in international markets.

That Pakistani trainer is nothing but a license-built Saab MFI-15/17 Safari. The only reason those get exported is becuase Sweden doesn't build the type anymore. That isn't any accomplishment for them. Exporting those is essentially the same as India exporting India-built H125 choppers.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

That Pakistani trainer is nothing but a license-built Saab MFI-15/17 Safari. The only reason those get exported is becuase Sweden doesn't build the type anymore. That isn't any accomplishment for them. Exporting those is essentially the same as India exporting India-built H125 choppers.

Similarly, we manufacture Dornier 228 in India. The point is they have the working trainer which they produce and export.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Great day as Atmanirbharta bears fruit. It is a very advanced trainer. Hope GOI/IAF order them. There is also export market for these trainers.

 

[Sandeep]

Finally now we can start production. In ten years since the B J P came to power they fixed a lot of planes that were junked by the incompetence of the last government and HAL.

It still has issues yes but at least they are focusing on resolving them because of the pressure from the government. They didn’t just give up and imported the jets like previously.

 

[Enforcer]

This aircraft should be HAL's first priority: fix any flaws and put it into mass production. More important than Tejas, in my opinion. If new pilots are not being trained (which also takes years), we will fall behind even more in terms of modernization and preparation. HAL should cancel projects like TEDBF & Tejas Mk2 since it's too late to develop them anymore. To stay in tune with the world, we need 5th gen ASAP.

Priority List:

1. Sitara trainer
2. Full-scale production of Tejas Mk1A (with complete TOT to 2 different private companies. Basically, there need to be 3 production lines all producing Tejas)
3. AMCA (2 variants: air force and navy. Until this is developed, buy and use F-35. F-35 will provide so much experience regarding 5th-gen tech. I know for a fact HAL doesn't even know what exactly makes an aircraft 5th gen. There is so much more than just stealth. Operating the F-35 will be a huge help in the development of AMCA.)