Indian Air Force Archives - Aviation Today

AAIB Flags Civil-Military ATC Coordination Lapses In Air India-Navy Helicopter Near Miss

Aviation Today News Desk / May 24, 2026

Port Blair, India: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its final investigation report into a serious midair proximity

Bengaluru, India: India has taken a significant step forward in its indigenous fighter jet programme after state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace concluded a critical technical agreement for the co-production of F414 jet engines, paving the way for a final commercial contract expected later this year. The development marks a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing ambitions, as the F414 engine is slated to power three key indigenous combat aircraft the Tejas Mk2, the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), and the initial variant of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). HAL and GE Aerospace have finalised the technical aspects of the agreement, including complex negotiations around technology transfer widely regarded as the most challenging phase of the deal. With this stage completed, both sides have moved into commercial negotiations, which are expected to take additional time due to rising global component costs and pricing complexities. Officials indicate that the final contract could be signed within the current financial year, marking the culmination of negotiations that have been underway for nearly three years. A central feature of the agreement is the transfer of approximately 80% of manufacturing technology from GE Aerospace to HAL, one of the most substantial technology transfer arrangements ever secured by India in the aerospace sector. The deal will enable India to manufacture advanced fighter jet engines domestically, significantly reducing dependence on imports and strengthening long-term self-reliance in critical defence technologies. Under the agreement: 99 F414 engines are planned to be manufactured in India for the Tejas Mk2 programme The Indian Air Force (IAF) has projected a requirement of 120–130 Tejas Mk2 aircraft, indicating further engine demand The co-production programme will involve licensed manufacturing in India, not just assembly The engine, capable of delivering around 98 kN of thrust, is critical for the performance requirements of next-generation Indian fighter platforms. Tejas Mk2 The F414 engine will power the Tejas Mk2, a more advanced and heavier variant of the Light Combat Aircraft designed to replace ageing fleets and enhance the IAF’s combat capability. TEDBF (Naval Fighter) The Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter, intended for aircraft carrier operations, will rely on dual F414 engines for enhanced thrust and maritime capability. AMCA (5th-Generation Fighter) The initial version of India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, AMCA Mk1, is also expected to use the F414 engine before transitioning to a more powerful indigenous or co-developed engine in later variants. The agreement is expected to play a key role in: Boosting indigenous defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative Strengthening India–US defence cooperation, particularly in high-end aerospace technologies Addressing the Indian Air Force’s declining squadron strength, a major operational concern Enabling future fighter programmes without dependence on foreign engine supplies Experts note that local production of such high-performance engines represents a critical capability gap that India has long sought to bridge. The HAL–GE engine collaboration traces back to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. Since then, negotiations have focused heavily on securing deep technology transfer, with India insisting on a minimum threshold of around 80% for the deal to proceed. Following the conclusion of technical discussions in April 2026, the programme has now entered its final phase before contract signing. Once finalised, the agreement will not only power multiple indigenous fighter programmes but also mark a decisive shift towards domestic production of advanced jet engines, a capability currently limited to a handful of countries worldwide.

MRO

HAL-GE F414 Engine Deal Moves Closer To Reality, Set To Power Tejas Mk2, TEDBF & AMCA

Aviation Today News Desk / April 26, 2026

Bengaluru, India: India has taken a significant step forward in its indigenous fighter jet programme after state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Aircraft Crashes

Two IAF Pilots Killed After Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crashes In Assam During Training Mission

Aviation Today News Desk / March 6, 2026

Guwahati, India: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district after losing radar

Incidents

IAF Tejas Aircraft Suffers Landing Damage In Third Incident Since 2024

Aviation Today News Desk / February 23, 2026

New Delhi, India: An Indian Air Force (IAF) HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft sustained significant damage during a training sortie

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A HAL Tejas combat fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Friday afternoon during a demonstration sortie at the Dubai Airshow, triggering an immediate response from emergency crews and prompting organisers to suspend flying displays for the day. The crash occurred at approximately 2:10 pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport, where the biennial event is being held. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft lose control mid-maneuver before descending rapidly and erupting into flames. Thick black smoke was visible from several parts of the airshow grounds. The Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot tragically lost his life in the crash. Authorities responded immediately at the scene, and airshow organisers suspended flying displays for the day. The accident follows an online speculation after videos circulated on 18 November 2025, claiming an aircraft had leaked oil during pre-flight ground operations. On 20th November2025, India’s Press Information Bureau, citing technical inputs, dismissed the claims and clarified that the fluid seen in videos was condensed water drained from the aircraft’s Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) both of which routinely expel moisture in hot, humid conditions like Dubai. The Ministry of Defence also termed the online posts “fake”, accusing certain accounts of attempting to discredit the made-in-India fighter. India had positioned the Tejas as a highlight of its participation at the Dubai Airshow, aiming to demonstrate its indigenous fighter programme to potential export customers. The crash is expected to draw scrutiny from aviation regulators, technical evaluators and defence analysts. Experts say the outcome of the investigation particularly whether the cause was mechanical, environmental or pilot-related will influence future display permissions and export prospects. A joint inquiry involving UAE aviation authorities, the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expected to begin shortly. Access to the crash site has been restricted, and debris recovery operations are underway. Airshow organisers briefly halted public movement in open areas after the incident and redirected visitors to indoor exhibition halls. On 12 March 2024, a Tejas light combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan during an operational training sortie, marking the first crash of the indigenous jet in its 23-year history. The pilot ejected safely, and although the aircraft crashed into a building, there were no civilian injuries.

Aircraft Crashes

IAF Tejas Crashes At Dubai Airshow; Pilot Killed, Flying Displays Suspended

Aviation Today News Desk / November 21, 2025

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A HAL Tejas combat fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Friday afternoon during

Bangalore, India: In a major milestone for India’s indigenous defence manufacturing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully carried out the maiden flight of the first series-production HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft (tail number TH-4001) from its Bengaluru facility on Friday. The aircraft, built under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, marks the transition of the HTT-40 programme from development to full-scale production. According to HAL, the flight lasted approximately 40 minutes and validated the aircraft’s performance parameters, flight controls, and avionics systems. “This achievement reflects our capability to design, develop, test, and now produce a world-class basic trainer entirely within India,” said HAL Chairman and Managing Director C.B. Ananthakrishnan. “The HTT-40 will soon play a key role in shaping the next generation of Indian Air Force pilots.” The HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is a tandem-seat, fully aerobatic turboprop aircraft designed for ab-initio pilot training. The trainer can perform a range of operations including basic flying, aerobatics, instrument training, and night sorties. Unlike earlier prototypes, the newly flown TH-4001 represents a production-standard version that will lead HAL’s delivery commitments to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-12B turboprop engine and features a modern glass cockpit, zero-zero ejection seats, hot refuelling capability, and advanced avionics such as VOR/ILS, TACAN, and IFF. HAL officials confirmed that the indigenous content of the HTT-40 currently stands at around 56%, with plans to push it beyond 60% as local suppliers scale up production. The Indian Air Force has placed an order for 70 HTT-40 aircraft, valued at approximately ₹6,800 crore. Deliveries were initially targeted for late 2025 but were delayed due to supply chain constraints, particularly the delayed shipment of Honeywell engines. HAL now expects the first batch of production aircraft to be delivered to the IAF by February 2026, after completion of flight certification and quality assurance trials. A second production line at HAL’s Nashik division has also been inaugurated to accelerate output and meet the IAF’s requirements. The HTT-40 will replace the ageing HPT-32 Deepak trainers that were grounded in 2009 following safety issues. With its modern systems and improved safety standards, the aircraft will serve as the backbone of the IAF’s basic flight training programme, bridging a crucial capability gap in pilot induction.

Military Aviation

HAL’s HTT-40 Enters Production To Boost Indian Air Force Pilot Training Capability

Aviation Today News Desk / October 25, 2025

Bangalore, India: In a major milestone for India’s indigenous defence manufacturing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully carried out the maiden

A tragic incident unfolded during a night training mission when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat, resulting in the death of one pilot while another sustained serious injuries. The aircraft, which took off from Jamnagar Air Force base, encountered a technical malfunction mid-flight, forcing both pilots to eject. While one pilot was safely rescued and is receiving medical treatment, the other succumbed to his injuries. This accident adds to growing concerns over the ageing Jaguar fleet, as it follows a similar crash near Ambala just a day earlier. The IAF has launched an inquiry into the cause of the incident, emphasizing the need for urgent modernization of its aircraft.

Accidents, Airplane Crashes

Indian Air Force Jaguar Crashes in Gujarat, One Pilot Dead, Another Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / April 3, 2025

Gujarat, INDIA: In a tragic accident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar two-seater fighter aircraft crashed during a night training

Indian Air Force

AAIB Flags Civil-Military ATC Coordination Lapses In Air India-Navy Helicopter Near Miss

HAL-GE F414 Engine Deal Moves Closer To Reality, Set To Power Tejas Mk2, TEDBF & AMCA

Two IAF Pilots Killed After Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crashes In Assam During Training Mission

IAF Tejas Aircraft Suffers Landing Damage In Third Incident Since 2024

IAF Tejas Crashes At Dubai Airshow; Pilot Killed, Flying Displays Suspended

HAL’s HTT-40 Enters Production To Boost Indian Air Force Pilot Training Capability

Indian Air Force Jaguar Crashes in Gujarat, One Pilot Dead, Another Injured

Quick Links

Navigate

General Support

News Desk Support