Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd.), has strongly advocated for an indigenous approach to replacing the IAF's ageing British-origin BAE Systems Hawk Mk-132 advanced jet trainers.
Highlighting India's growing aerospace capabilities, Bhadauria stated that the nation is now fully equipped to design and manufacture its next-generation jet trainer domestically, eliminating the need to rely on foreign suppliers for this critical platform.
The former Air Chief's remarks align with the IAF's recent initiation of a massive procurement drive. The air force has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire approximately 150 new Stage-III (F) jet trainers.
These aircraft serve as the final and most crucial stepping stone for rookie pilots, familiarising them with modern airborne radars and electronic warfare systems before they take the controls of frontline fighters like the Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Global and domestic manufacturers have until October 5, 2026, to respond to the tender.
Bhadauria's reasoning is clear: having successfully mastered the complexities of designing and producing the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, India has no valid reason to import its next advanced trainer.
He emphasised that looking overseas is unnecessary when the domestic defence industry has proven its mettle. Furthermore, an order of 150 aircraft is substantial enough to justify a dedicated Indian production line.
Such a large-scale domestic programme would not only be cost-effective through economies of scale but would also solidify a permanent ecosystem for manufacturing training aircraft within the country.
However, the pressing question remains whether the Indian defence industry can deliver a highly capable aircraft on a strict timeline.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) already possesses significant experience in this domain, having developed the Stage-II HJT-36 Yashas to replace the older Kiran intermediate trainers. More notably, HAL is working on a highly ambitious project called the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42).
Unveiled as a scale model at Aero India 2023, the HLFT-42 is a supersonic jet designed with advanced avionics, fly-by-wire controls, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
Crucially, the HLFT-42 is envisioned to double as a fully capable combat fighter, making it a highly compelling candidate for the IAF’s Stage-III requirement.
Bhadauria's stance serves as a strategic call to action for the government and the IAF to view this 150-aircraft requirement as a chance to cement India's self-reliance in aerospace, rather than initiating another prolonged foreign import cycle.
A homegrown trainer offers immense strategic benefits. It can be custom-built to integrate perfectly with the IAF's modern combat network, sharing common digital cockpits, tactical datalinks, and weapons interfaces with future Indian fighters.
This synergy would significantly reduce the wear and tear on expensive, frontline jets currently used for routine training and combat-readiness missions.
Timing, however, will dictate the success of an indigenous route. The IAF's procurement process is just beginning, with a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) expected around December 2027 and eventual deliveries slated for the mid-2030s.
While this timeline offers a window of opportunity for HAL, it also serves as a strict warning. To prevent the existing Hawk fleet from becoming a bottleneck in pilot training, any domestic programme must avoid the historical delays that have plagued past Indian aerospace projects.
Ultimately, the push for an Indian-made Stage-III trainer is driven not just by national pride, but by practical economics, operational compatibility, and the proven capability to build modern, fly-by-wire combat jets.
