Aero India 2025: HAL HJT-36 ‘Yashas’ trainer aircraft receives critical upgrades
HAL HJT-36 Yashas is an indigenously-developed trainer jet meant for Stage-II pilot training, which has received significant modifications for improved departure characteristics and spin resistance.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially renamed its ‘Made-in-India’ intermediate trainer aircraft codenamed ‘HJT-36‘ as ‘Yashas‘. The aircraft platform has now received large-scale upgrades in its design and technologies to offer enhanced and dynamic capabilities. The announcement was made at the on-going Aero India 2025 expo in Bengaluru.
Designed specifically for Stage-II pilot training by Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy, the HAL Yashas can also be pressed for counter insurgency and surface force operations, armament training and aerobatics. The aircraft is expected to replace HAL HJT-16 Kiran as the Stage-II trainer for defence forces.
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The intermediate-class jet trainer programme at HAL began in 1997, with an aim to develop a next-gen successor to the HJT-16 trainers. Originally named as ‘Sitara’, the first prototypes appeared in early 2000s, initially powered by a French SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac turbofan engine. Later, the manufacturer opted to Russian NPO Saturn AL-55I turbofan jet engine producing 17.3 kN of thrust.
In 2010, IAF placed an order for 73 units of the HJT-38 jets. However, the aircraft was identified with certain structural shortfalls that called for redesigns to improve the aircraft’s stall and spin performances. For most part of the previous decade, the aircraft remained unfit for service due to such design and technological issues.
At the on-going Aero India 2025, the latest iteration of the HAL trainer jet with a new moniker ‘Yashas’ was unveiled. According to the company, the aircraft boasts extensive modifications and additions to its departure characteristics and spin resistance. It has also recently received state-of-the-art avionics from GE Aviation Systems and a refreshed cockpit.
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Performance wise, the HJT-38 jets can achieve a max speed of 750 kmph (Mach 0.75), with a flying range of about 1,000 kms (540 nmi). Its maximum takeoff weight is 5,400 kg (11,905 lb). The aircraft includes seating for a crew of two pilots.
It is said that the HAL Yashas still requires two more years of testing before it is ready for Final Operational Clearance (FOC) certification. Including the 73 units order from IAF so far, HAL plans to make over 200 of these trainer jets in the coming years.
Image Credit: r/IndianDefense via Reddit.com
