Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to lease four upgraded HJT-36 ‘Yashas’ intermediate jet trainers to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a move that could rejuvenate the long-delayed program and establish the aircraft as a key component of India’s pilot training ecosystem.
Speaking to Flightglobal, HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil confirmed that extensive modifications have resolved the developmental hurdles that had plagued the aircraft for over two decades. Originally named ‘Sitara’, the HJT-36 faced repeated delays due to issues related to spin recovery and departure characteristics. The aircraft has now been relaunched as ‘Yashas’ with significant design and avionics upgrades.
The Yashas features a fully modernized glass cockpit and retains its AL-55I engine, providing improved pilot interface and enhanced situational awareness. It is designed to serve as a bridge between basic trainers like the HAL HPT-32 Deepak and advanced platforms such as the BAE Systems Hawk 132.
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HAL plans to lease four retrofitted jets—drawn from a pool of 12 limited-series production aircraft—to the IAF for evaluation. The leased aircraft will be equipped with all recent enhancements aimed at correcting previous performance issues.
The IAF’s cautious interest comes as its aging fleet of HJT-16 Kiran intermediate trainers nears retirement. The Yashas is positioned to replace the Kiran, offering a smoother, more gradual learning curve for trainee pilots transitioning from propeller-driven aircraft to high-performance fighter jets like the Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale.
Sunil emphasized the importance of the Yashas in India’s pilot training continuum. “We’ve fixed the problems we had with spin and upgraded to a full glass cockpit. It’s a very capable jet now, and we expect it to become the mainstay of the Indian Air Force in the coming years,” he said.
If the initial evaluation proves successful, the IAF could place substantial orders for the Yashas, marking a major boost for HAL and further solidifying India’s commitment to indigenous defence production.
