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On 18 September 2026 in Bengaluru, HAL handed over two LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the Indian Air Force.
The two Tejas trainers are the last aircraft under the 20-aircraft Final Operational Clearance (FOC) contract signed on 23 December 2010.
The HTT-40s are the first deliveries under the March 2023 contract for 70 aircraft worth about ₹6,800 crore; the first series-production aircraft is named 'Ankur'.
Four Dhruv Next Generation (NG) civil helicopters, powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines, were handed to Pawan Hans Limited.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu attended the ceremony.
| Platform | Role | Customer | Handed over | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainer | Operational conversion trainer, combat-capable | Indian Air Force | 2 (the last of 4 trainers) | FOC contract, 23 Dec 2010: 20 aircraft (16 fighters + 4 trainers) |
| HTT-40 | Basic (ab-initio) trainer, turboprop | Indian Air Force | 3 (first deliveries) | March 2023: 70 aircraft, about ₹6,800 crore |
| Dhruv NG | 5.5-tonne twin-engine civil helicopter | Pawan Hans Limited | 4 | Civil variant of HAL's Dhruv ALH |
Defence PSU that designs and builds aircraft, helicopters and engines; built all three platforms
India's only government-owned helicopter service; Mini Ratna-I PSU under the Ministry of Civil Aviation; incorporated 15 October 1985 as Helicopter Corporation of India
User of the Tejas trainers and HTT-40
Certified HAL to manufacture the Shakti civil engine in India, the first aero engine it has certified for indigenous production
GS Paper III > Security > Indigenisation of technology; defence manufacturing
General Knowledge > Defence equipment
Certification that an aircraft standard is cleared for full combat use, after the earlier Initial Operational Clearance (IOC)
The first stage of flying training, where cadets learn basic handling; the HTT-40's role
HAL's next-generation civil variant of the Dhruv helicopter, with twin Shakti 1H1C engines