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HAL Delivers LCA Tejas, HTT-40 and Dhruv Helicopters to IAF

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 10:03 AM UTC · How we work

Center

First HTT-40 delivery

HAL handed over two LCA Tejas trainers, three HTT-40 trainers and four Dhruv helicopters to Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans in Bengaluru on September 18, 2026.
The HTT-40 aircraft, named “Ankur,” is the first of a planned 70-aircraft series intended to meet the IAF’s basic-training needs.
The delivery fulfills the LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainer contract.
Four civil-certified Dhruv Next Generation helicopters were delivered to Pawan Hans for commercial operations.

Right

Minister Urges Realistic Timelines

Hindustan Aeronautics delivered two LCA Tejas trainers, three HTT-40 trainers and four Dhruv helicopters to Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans on September 18 2026 in Bengaluru.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the handover publicly while urging HAL to set realistic timelines to avoid overruns and obsolescence.
Air Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Sanjeev Kumar and Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha attended.

History

Historical Context

After HAL’s first LCA-Tejas flight in 2001, India built a domestic fighter fleet that now includes 40 operational jets. By September 18 2026 the company handed over two Tejas trainers, three HTT-40 trainers and Dhruv helicopters to the Indian Air Force, a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The delivery supports India’s long-term goal of reducing foreign aircraft dependence.

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First HTT-40 delivery

HAL handed over two LCA Tejas trainers, three HTT-40 trainers and four Dhruv helicopters to Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans in Bengaluru on September 18, 2026.
The HTT-40 aircraft, named “Ankur,” is the first of a planned 70-aircraft series intended to meet the IAF’s basic-training needs.
The delivery fulfills the LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainer contract.
Four civil-certified Dhruv Next Generation helicopters were delivered to Pawan Hans for commercial operations.

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