IAF Approaches HAL for Leasing Four Upgraded HJT-36 Yashas Trainers, Seeks to Evaluate Enhanced Spin Resistance and Flight Dynamics

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking a step towards potentially incorporating the upgraded HJT-36 Yashas trainer aircraft into its fleet. The IAF has reached out to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a proposal to lease four of the Yashas Stage-2 trainers for evaluation purposes. These aircraft will be from the Limited Series Production (LSP) and modified to meet the latest Yashas standards.

Originally developed as a basic jet trainer, the HJT-36, now officially designated 'Yashas', has faced challenges throughout its development, particularly with its flight dynamics. Issues with departure characteristics and spin resistance had been a cause for concern.

However, HAL has implemented significant upgrades to address these problems. The modifications focus on improving the aircraft's spin resistance throughout its entire flight envelope, making it a safer and more reliable platform for pilot training.

This move by the IAF reflects a growing emphasis on strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities. If the evaluation of these upgraded Yashas trainers proves successful, it could lead to a larger order from the IAF, further supporting the development and production of homegrown training aircraft. This would be a significant step towards modernizing the IAF's training fleet with domestically produced solutions.

It is worth noting that the HJT-36 has been the subject of much scrutiny over the years due to its developmental issues. However, with these latest upgrades, HAL appears to have addressed the major concerns, potentially paving the way for the Yashas to finally fulfill its role as a key component of the IAF's pilot training program.

 

[Dredd]

let see how many years HAL will take to deliver 4 leased plane, My guess is not less than 3 years after contract signing.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Already 16 LSPs have been built. These have been significantly upgraded to meet modern training requirements. They also have state-of-the-art avionics, an ultra-modern cockpit, and a Russian AL-55I engine.

 

[Akshat]

Already 16 LSPs have been built. These have been significantly upgraded to meet modern training requirements. They also have state-of-the-art avionics, an ultra-modern cockpit, and a Russian AL-55I engine.

The LSPs have been under production since before 2015. But so far they haven't passed developmental trials (at least till 2023 they hadn't). Now it seems HAL has finally offered them for user trials. These certifications will anyways be done by DRDO.

 

[Anant]

Already 16 LSPs have been built. These have been significantly upgraded to meet modern training requirements. They also have state-of-the-art avionics, an ultra-modern cockpit, and a Russian AL-55I engine.

Well, the first two jets were prototypes, and the first one was lost back in 2011. It is also possible some of the later jets were used as prototypes.

Regardless, this is a massive failed project thanks to the timelines.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Also, look for export customers.

 

[Dredd]

Well, the first two jets were prototypes, and the first one was lost back in 2011. It is also possible some of the later jets were used as prototypes.

Regardless, this is a massive failed project thanks to the timelines.

Also the current plane uses the AL-55I engine which had an engine life of just 300 hours which is now claimed to be improved to 1200 hours, while IAF requirement was 3000 hours of engine life. Why HAL selects such poor engines and didn't work on any indigenous alternative when thay had 15+ years of development time is beyond me. HAL never ceases to amaze me with its incompetence at every level.
Just imagine a Trainer jet whose engine needs to be replace every other year.

 

[hector1001]

Along with a HAL test pilot - IAF pilot should have been involved from a very early stage.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Along with a HAL test pilot - IAF pilot should have been involved from a very early stage.

IAF pilots are posted to HAL. HAL has no test pilots of its own.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Also, look for export customers.

Until IAF inducts them there will be no export customer.

 

[Sandeep]

Also the current plane uses the AL-55I engine which had an engine life of just 300 hours which is now claimed to be improved to 1200 hours, while IAF requirement was 3000 hours of engine life. Why HAL selects such poor engines and didn't work on any indigenous alternative when thay had 15+ years of development time is beyond me. HAL never ceases to amaze me with its incompetence at every level.
Just imagine a Trainer jet whose engine needs to be replace every other year.

No that’s factually incorrect. The military wanted an engine with a 1200 hours and they achieved that by making upgrades and it’s a joint venture project.

 

[Sandeep]

Well it makes sense to lease the jets first and conduct tests and trials before actually buying a dozen LSP variants and then realise there’s several problems with it and that HAL doesn’t accept any refunds.

Hopefully the issues and problems are involved and with the new avionics it will give the pilot a more advanced training that’s required for modern combat.

 

[Dredd]

No that’s factually incorrect. The military wanted an engine with a 1200 hours and they achieved that by making upgrades and it’s a joint venture project.

They downgraded their requirement to 1600 hours to support this project, as the ASQR requirement warranted 3600 hours of engine life. This was highlighted by CAG as well.

 

[Sandeep]

They downgraded their requirement to 1600 hours to support this project, as the ASQR requirement warranted 3600 hours of engine life. This was highlighted by CAG as well.

In this deal the technology was transferred to us and we could manufacture the engines indigenously from Indian raw materials.

With the French engine France wasn’t prepared to give any of the engine technology or allow us to make it indigenously along with it being more expensive.

That’s why Russia won the contract as we created a joint venture with them and make us more self reliant.

 

[Dredd]

In this deal the technology was transferred to us and we could manufacture the engines indigenously from Indian raw materials.

With the French engine France wasn’t prepared to give any of the engine technology or allow us to make it indigenously along with it being more expensive.

That’s why Russia won the contract as we created a joint venture with them and make us more self reliant.

But ultimately, inferior engines will cost taxpayers money and probably training programs in the long term. As Avant pointed out, we could have gone with the HTFE25 variant with a better lifespan.