Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to roll out the first HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) later this year, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous aircraft development program. According to HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil, the aircraft is on track for its first delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2025, with additional inductions planned in the following years.
Designed by HAL’s Aircraft Research and Design Centre, the HTT-40 is intended to meet the IAF’s long-standing need for a modern, reliable training platform for Stage I basic flight training. It is expected to replace aging aircraft such as the HPT-32 Deepak, offering a cost-effective and robust solution for pilot training.
The HTT-40’s successful flypast at Aero India 2025 has attracted considerable attention, both domestically and internationally. HAL has received a growing number of inquiries from foreign customers interested in the aircraft’s capabilities, signaling strong export potential.
Sunil expressed optimism about showcasing the HTT-40 to prospective buyers in the coming months. HAL’s strategy aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which emphasizes self-reliance in defense manufacturing and aims to position Indian companies as competitive players in the global aerospace market.
With production ongoing at HAL’s facilities in Bangalore and Nashik, the HTT-40 program is poised to enhance India’s military aviation training capabilities while opening new opportunities in the international defense export arena.
