HAL HJT-16 Kiran

{{Short description|Indian jet trainer aircraft}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = HJT-16 Kiran | image = U2484 HAL HJT-16 Kiran Indian Air Force ( Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team ) (8414605364).jpg | caption = A HAL HJT-16 Kiran of the Indian Air Force | type = Intermediate jet trainer | manufacturer = Hindustan Aeronautics Limited | national_origin = India | first_flight = 4 September 1964 | introduction = 1968 | retired = | produced = 1964 -1989 | number_built = 190 | status = In service | primary_user = Indian Air Force | more_users = Indian Navy | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = HAL HJT-36 Yashas }}

The '''HAL HJT-16 Kiran''' ({{Lit|Ray of light}}) is an Indian two-seat intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft designed and manufactured by aircraft company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The Kiran was developed at the behest of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who sought a new intermediate trainer aircraft for its pilots. On 4 September 1964, the type performed its maiden flight; mass production commenced shortly thereafter. It has been adopted by the IAF, which uses the type to conduct intermediate training of pilots following on from basic trainers such as the HPT-32 Deepak and Pilatus PC-7. Furthermore, during the 1980s, the IAF procured a number of Kirans that were furnished with a more powerful engine and a higher number of hard points; the variant was designated ''Kiran Mk II''. It has also been adopted by the Indian Naval Air Arm. The last Kiran was completed during 1989, after which the assembly line was shuttered.

The Kiran has been in operational use for over 50 years. Since the late 1990s, an indigenously designed successor, the HAL HJT-36 Sitara, has been in development, but has yet to enter service as of 2019. By the 2010s, use of the type was gradually declining as increasing numbers of newer BAE Systems Hawks, built under license by HAL, have been introduced to IAF service. The Kiran has been used by the Indian naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawan and was also used by the aerobatic team Surya Kiran of the IAF up until February 2011, at which point the team was disbanded after its aircraft were diverted to train fighter pilots. The Surya Kiran display team has been reequipped with specially-equipped Hawks. During December 2018, a handful of Kirans were donated by India to Myanmar. The IAF plans to retire the aircraft by 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-20 |title=Rebranded, reborn: Yashas set to fill India’s pilot training gap |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/features/hal-yashas-set-to-fill-iaf-pilot-training-gap-6d672d63 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=@mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref>

==Development==

[[File:HAL Kiran at HAL Museum 7783.JPG|thumb|left|A ''Kiran II'' on static display at the HAL Museum, Bangalore, 2011]]

The Kiran was developed by Indian aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in response the issuing of an Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement that called for a new intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft. HAL's design team devised a relatively conventional trainer; according to author Chris Smith, their design was closely modelled on the BAC Jet Provost, an existing British jet trainer.<ref name="Smith 1994, p. 157">Smith 1994, p. 157.</ref> HAL chose to adopt the British-sourced Rolls-Royce Viper 11 turbojet engine, capable of generating up to {{convert|2500|lbf|abbr=on}} of thrust, to serve as its powerplant.<ref name="Janes 82 p92"/> According to Smith, the development of what would become Kiran proved beneficial to other HAL projects, the design team being later redeployed to the HF-24 Marut, an indigenously designed fighter-bomber.<ref name="Smith 1994, p. 157"/>

On 4 September 1964, a prototype performed the type's maiden flight.<ref name="Janes 82 p92">Taylor 1982, p. 92.</ref> The initial production aircraft was designated ''Kiran I''; during March 1968, the first deliveries of the pre-production aircraft were made to the IAF. Proving satisfactory, full-scale production of the type was approved shortly thereafter. Later production aircraft were fitted with hard points underneath each wing, which were intended for weapon training purposes; this modification led to such aircraft being redesignated as ''Kiran IA''. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were manufactured.<ref name="Janes 82 p92"/>

During the 1970s, work was undertaken by HAL on an uprated version of the aircraft; it was instead powered by the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engine, capable of generating a maximum thrust of {{convert|4200|lbf|abbr=on}}. This variant, which was also furnished with an enhanced weapon-carrying capability, was designated ''Kiran Mk II''. On 30 July 1976, this variant performed its first flight.<ref name="Janes 88 p98">Taylor 1988, p. 98.</ref> Around this time, India was seeking a more advanced trainer aircraft in response to difficulties experienced with trainee pilots transitioning from the original Kiran to frontline fighter aircraft.<ref>Smith 1994, p. 165.</ref> Deliveries of the improved model commenced during 1985; production of the Kiran was terminated during 1989.<ref name="World Mil p201">Donald and Lake 1996, p. 201.</ref>

==Operational history== Since the initial aircraft first being delivered in 1968, the Kiran has been operated by both the IAF and the Indian Navy for the intermediate elements of their training syllabuses. Since the late 1990s, HAL has been working on developing a successor to the Kiran, which has been designated HJT-36 Sitara.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/indian-air-force-kirans-to-fly-on-as-ijt-wait-conti-395994/ "Indian air force Kirans to fly on, as IJT wait continues."] ''Flight International'', 14 February 2014.</ref> Its development has been protracted, being troubled by accidents during the test flight phase and having to perform an extensive redesign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Ajai |title=HAL's Intermediate Jet Trainer flies again after extensive re-design |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/hal-s-intermediate-jet-trainer-flies-again-after-extensive-re-design-119041900219_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=19 April 2019}}</ref><ref>Kumar Jha, Manish. [http://www.businessworld.in/article/Is-It-Time-For-HAL-To-Buckle-Up-/26-12-2018-165551/ "Is It Time For HAL To Buckle Up?."] ''Business World'', 26 December 2018.</ref> Another jet trainer, the British-designed BAE Systems Hawk, has been license-manufactured by HAL to supplement and gradually replace the IAF's aging Kiran fleet since 2007.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dubai-2007-first-indian-hawks-delivered-219435/ "Dubai 2007: First Indian Hawks delivered."] ''Flight International'', 12 November 2007.</ref> While deliveries of the Hawk and development of the Sitara continues, the operating life of the Kiran has been extended through to 2019, over 50 years after the first examples being delivered to the IAF.<ref>[https://www.deccanherald.com/content/461108/prolonging-surya-kirans-life.html "Prolonging Surya Kiran's life..."] ''Deccan Herald'', 21 February 2015.</ref><ref>Matthew, Neelam. [https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2014-04-03/hal-edged-out-trainer-competitions "HAL Edged Out In Trainer Competitions."] ''AIN Online'', 3 April 2014.</ref>

thumb|Aircraft of the Surya Kiran display team in formation flight during LIMA 2007 Following the grounding of the HAL HPT-32 Deepak fleet in 2009 amid safety concerns, the Kiran was temporarily used to perform both Stage I & II of fighter pilot training; this change was accompanied by considerable disruption, including a reduction of available flying hours to students as well as necessitating the redistribution of aircraft from the Surya Kiran display team.<ref>[https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/mayday-indias-intermediate-flight-trainers-07391/ "May day: India’s New Basic & Intermediate Flight Trainers."] ''Defense Industry Daily'', 2 May 2019.</ref><ref>Bahadur, Manmohan. [https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Airing-out-a-decision/article16769093.ece "Airing out a decision."] ''The Hindu'', 7 December 2016.</ref> During 2010, an urgent request for proposals was issued, seeking a rapid replacement for the HPT-32 and to enable the Kiran fleet to resume normal operations; the Pilatus PC-7 was subsequently selected for this role.<ref>Francis, Leithen. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/india-to-order-primary-trainers-to-replace-hpt-32s-338983/ "India to order primary trainers to replace HPT-32s."] ''Flight International'', 5 March 2010.</ref><ref>Waldron, Greg. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/india-starts-first-training-course-with-new-pc-7-mk-388269/ "India starts first training course with new PC-7 Mk II fleet."] ''Flight International'', 15 July 2013.</ref>

Both the Indian Naval Air Arm and the Indian Air Force have independently operated their own aerobatic display teams, Sagar Pawan and Surya Kiran respectively.<ref>[https://www.newsnation.in/photos/news/surya-kirans-iaf-s-aerobatics-team-whose-death-defying-manouevers-leave-audience-spellbound-2562/slide1 "Surya kirans, IAF's Aerobatics team whose death defying manouevers leave audience spellbound."] ''News Nation'', 8 October 2017.</ref> On 3 March 2010, a Kiran Mk II of the Sagar Pawan aerobatic team crashed into a building in Hyderabad during the Indian Aviation 2010 air show, killing both crewmembers and injuring four civilians on the ground.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8546735.stm "India Navy plane crashes at air show, killing pilots."] ''BBC News'', 3 March 2010.</ref> During the 2010s, the Indian Defence Ministry placed an order for 20 Hawk Mk132 aircraft with HAL to replace the remaining Kirans assigned to the Surya Kiran display team.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/discussions-continue-for-third-indian-hawk-deal-say-389022/ "Discussions continue for third Indian Hawk deal, says BAE."] ''Flight International'', 2 August 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/for-surya-kiran-aerobatics-team-iaf-set-to-purchase-20-hawks/ |title=For Surya Kiran aerobatics team, IAF set to purchase 20 Hawks |date=26 October 2015 |newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref> By 2019, several Hawks had been issued to the Surya Kiran display team and had been used to perform its trademark aerial displays.<ref>Kumar, Chethan. [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/two-aircraft-of-surya-kiran-aerobatics-team-crash-in-bengaluru/articleshow/68059933.cms "Two Surya Kiran aircraft crash during practice at Aero India in Bengaluru, one pilot dead."] ''Times of India'', 20 February 2019.</ref>

During December 2018, India donated six Kirans to neighbouring Myanmar, these aircraft were dispatched along with a team of specialists to train both pilots and ground crew in their operation.<ref>[https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/FFM-Myanmar/EconomicInterestsMyanmarMilitary/Infographic2_Arms_and_Military_Equipment_Suppliers.pdf "Arms and Military Equipment Suppliers to the Tatmadaw."] ''United Nations'', August 2019.</ref> Publication Times Now has speculated that this gift was an intentional politically-charged decision, intended to strengthen military ties between the two countries as well as to a means to counterbalancing the growing influence of China over the region.<ref name="TNN">{{cite news |title=To counter Chinese clout, India to gift 6 HAL Kiran jet trainers to Myanmar |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/china-hal-kiran-myanmar-indian-air-force-southeast-asia-kaladan-multimodal-project-act-east-policy-narendra-modi-national-socialist-council-of/324243 |work=www.timesnownews.com |date=1 December 2018 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |access-date=10 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026143424/http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/china-hal-kiran-myanmar-indian-air-force-southeast-asia-kaladan-multimodal-project-act-east-policy-narendra-modi-national-socialist-council-of/324243 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

To aid in the development of the HAL CATS project, a Kiran mk.ii was converted into an optionally uncrewed aircraft named OMCA, further conversions are expected as the plane will be phased out of service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-28 |title=HAL Successfully Conducts Maiden Flight of Unmanned Kiran Aircraft |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2025/10/hal-successfully-conducts-maiden-flight-of-unmanned-kiran-aircraft.html |access-date=2025-10-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Variants== ;Kiran Mk I : Two-seat intermediate jet trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engine. 118 built.<ref name="Janes 82 p92-3"/><ref name="World Mil p200">Donald and Lake 1996, p. 200.</ref> ;Kiran Mk IA : Two-seat intermediate jet trainer with armament capability. Two underwing hardpoints fitted. 72 built.<ref name="Janes 82 p92-3"/><ref name="World Mil p200"/> ;Kiran Mk II : Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in nose and a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine.<ref name="Janes 88 p98"/> 61 built.<ref name="World Mil p201"/>

==Operators== thumb|Formation of Kirans in flight

;{{IND}} * Indian Air Force: 87<ref name="hindec13">{{cite news |title=Pilatus PC-7 gives boost to IAF Academy |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/pilatus-pc7-gives-boost-to-iaf-academy/article5452530.ece |access-date=13 December 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=13 December 2013}}</ref> * Indian Navy: 20<ref name="hindec13"/> ;{{MYA}} * Myanmar Air Force: 6<ref name="TNN"/>

==Specification (Kiran IA)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83''<ref name="Janes 82 p92-3">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1982|pp=92–93}}</ref> |prime units?=met  |genhide=

|crew=2 |capacity= |length m=10.60 |length ft= |length in= |span m=10.70 |span ft= |span in= |height m=3.64 |height ft= |height in= |wing area sqm=19.00 |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio=6.03:1 |airfoil=NACA 23015 at root, NACA 23012 at tip |empty weight kg=2560 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |max takeoff weight kg=4235 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|1137|L|USgal impgal|abbr=on}} internal fuel |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Rolls-Royce Viper 11 |eng1 type=turbojet |eng1 kn=11.12 |eng1 lbf= |power original= |thrust original=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=695 |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note=at sea level |cruise speed kmh=324 |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |stall speed kmh=137–145 |stall speed note=flaps extended and landing gear deployed |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |combat range km= |combat range miles= |combat range nmi= |endurance=1 hr 45 min |ceiling m=9150 |ceiling ft= |g limits= |roll rate= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |time to altitude=20 min to {{convert|9150|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}} |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |more performance=  |armament=*two 500lb (227kg) bombs or two SNEB rocket pods containing seven 68 mm rockets or two pods with 7.62 mm machine guns, or two 50-Imp Gal (226 litre) drop tanks |guns= |bombs= |rockets= |missiles= |hardpoints= |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other=

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{Portal|India|Aviation}} {{Aircontent |related= |similar aircraft= * BAC Jet Provost * Cessna T-37 Tweet * Canadair CT-114 Tutor * Fouga CM.170 Magister * Saab 105 |sequence= |lists= |see also= }}

==References== ===Citations=== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985) |publisher= Orbis Publishing }} * {{cite book |last=Donald |first=David |author2=Jon Lake |title=Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft|edition=Single volume |year=1996 |publisher= Aerospace Publishing|location= London|isbn=1-874023-95-6 }} * Smith, Chris. ''India's Ad Hoc Arsenal: Direction Or Drift in Defence Policy?'' Oxford University Press, 1994. {{ISBN|0-1982-9168-X}}. * {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |author-link= John W. R. Taylor |title= Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 |year=1982 |publisher= Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |isbn=0-7106-0748-2 }} * {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |author-link= John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89 |year=1988 |publisher= Jane's Defence Data |location=Coulsdon, UK |isbn=0-7106-0867-5 }} {{refend}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline|HAL HJT-16 Kiran}}

Category:HAL aircraft Category:1960s Indian military trainer aircraft Category:Single-engined jet aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1964 Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear