The IJT story is a clear testimony to the fact that no project related to development of a new aircraft would be successful without dedicating the requisite level of expertise, competent and professional management, speedy decisionmaking, adherence to stipulated timelines and stringent accountability at all levels

In a written reply to a question, the Minister of State for Defence, informed the Rajya Sabha that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had signed contracts with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for delivery of 12 limited series production intermediate jet trainers (IJT) and 73 series production aircraft and that these were scheduled for induction into the IAF beginning 2014. The Indian aerospace major, the HAL, which is responsible for the design, development and production of the aircraft, has also confirmed that the delivery would be undertaken in a phased manner after grant of initial operational clearance (IOC) which is expected later this year.

The IJT or the HJT 36 is being developed to replace the HAL-built basic jet trainer HJT 16 Kiran that was inducted into the IAF in several variants beginning in 1971. The Kiran fleet has been the mainstay of basic jet training in the IAF for over four decades. And now, having reached the end of its technical life, the fleet is due to be phased out in the near future.

Development of the IJT commenced in 1997 with the “go ahead” sanction being given in July 1999. Initially, the programme moved forward at an extraordinary pace with HAL demonstrating precision and efficiency, quite uncharacteristic of a public sector undertaking. The prototype was rolled out 18 months after metal cutting and the maiden flight was undertaken without any fanfare on March 7, 2003, within four years after the “go ahead” sanction and two months after roll out. The formal inaugural flight was undertaken two weeks later, the momentous event being witnessed by the Minister of Defence and other dignitaries. By any standard it was a remarkable achievement by HAL and the sight of the IJT, later christened as the “Sitara”, taking to the skies, sent hopes in the IAF soaring. On the controls for this historic flight was the then Chief Test Pilot of HAL Squadron Leader Baldev Singh.

Unfortunately, soon after, the IJT programme hit rough weather from which it does not seem to have yet recovered. The first among the problems the programme has been plagued with was with the power plant. The Larzac engine from Snecma of France that powered the prototype delivered 1,440 kg of thrust. As the IAF was dissatisfied with the low thrust rating of the engine, a replacement power plant from NPO Saturn of Russia was identified by HAL through a global tender. This new engine designated as AL 55I, is a derivative of the AL 31 FP that powers the Su-30 and has a thrust rating of 1,700 kg. The first AL 55I engine was received only in June 2008 but the first flight with the new power plant could take place only in 2010. Besides, the flight test schedule with the new engine was further delayed owing to some technical glitches related to the integration of the engine with the airframe. In addition, the development programme was further bedevilled by altogether four accidents, two of which occurred during the Aero India international air shows in 2005 and 2007. In 2009, there was a case of the undercarriage collapse during the landing run. In April 2011, one prototype was lost following an ejection during a test flying sortie. But perhaps the biggest setback for the programme was the untimely demise of Squadron Leader Baldev Singh.

Apart from the series of accidents, there are a number of serious developmental issues with the aircraft that are yet to be resolved to the satisfaction of the IAF. These are in the areas of flight controls, engine life, weight and unhealthy handling characteristics especially in stall and spin. In October 2012, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chief of the Air Staff, had observed, “We are concerned as we are not seeing significant progress on the IJT. HAL put in a dedicated design team, yet there are no results. This is a training aircraft and we cannot compromise on safety.”