HAL hands over 2 Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers and 3 HTT-40 trainers to IAF, 4 Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans
On 18 September 2026, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over two LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance (FOC) twin-seat trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the IAF, and four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited, in Bengaluru.
Summary
The HAL handover ceremony in Bengaluru, Karnataka, was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu. Rajnath Singh called it a milestone in India's indigenous aerospace capability and said the LCA FOC trainer will help prepare pilots for future air operations. He said India had for years relied on imported aircraft for basic training, but HAL now builds the HTT-40 for the IAF. The Dhruv NG helicopters went to Pawan Hans Limited, a civil operator, which Rajnath Singh described as a sign of synergy between civil aviation and defence aerospace.
Key facts
- To IAF
- 2 LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers + 3 HTT-40 basic trainers
- To Pawan Hans Limited
- 4 Dhruv NG (Next Generation) helicopters
- Venue and date
- Bengaluru, Karnataka — 18 Sep 2026
- Present
- Rajnath Singh (Defence) and K Rammohan Naidu (Civil Aviation)
- HTT-40
- Indigenous basic trainer replacing reliance on imported trainers
Practice MCQs 4 questions
What did HAL hand over to the Indian Air Force in Bengaluru on 18 September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 2 LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers and 3 HTT-40 basic trainers
HAL handed over two LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the IAF.
To whom did HAL hand over four Dhruv NG helicopters on 18 September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pawan Hans Limited
The four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters were handed over to Pawan Hans Limited, a civil operator.
Where was HAL's handover ceremony of Tejas FOC trainers, HTT-40 trainers and Dhruv NG helicopters held on 18 September 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bengaluru
The handover took place in Bengaluru, Karnataka, in the presence of Rajnath Singh and K Rammohan Naidu.
Consider the following about the HAL handover of 18 September 2026: 1. The HTT-40 is a basic trainer aircraft built by HAL for the IAF. 2. The Dhruv NG helicopters were handed over to the Indian Army. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Dhruv NG helicopters went to Pawan Hans Limited, not the Army.