At a glance
India designs and builds a growing range of military aircraft. Fighters are designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL); HAL also designs its own helicopters and trainers. The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand are the best-known examples, and large orders signed in 2025 have made them the core of India's Aatmanirbhar push in aviation.
Key facts
- HAL: HQ Bengaluru; founded 1940 by Walchand Hirachand as Hindustan Aircraft; renamed HAL in 1964; Ministry of Defence; Maharatna since October 2024
- ADA: Aeronautical Development Agency, Bengaluru, under DRDO / Ministry of Defence; designer of Tejas and the AMCA
- Tejas LCA: single-engine light fighter; first flight 4 January 2001; named Tejas in 2003; first squadron No. 45 "Flying Daggers" (Sulur); FOC February 2019
- Tejas engines: GE F404 (Mk1 and Mk1A); GE F414 planned for Mk2
- Tejas Mk1A orders: 83 (February 2021, about ₹48,000 crore) and 97 (25 September 2025, ₹62,370 crore)
- LCH Prachand: twin-engine attack helicopter by HAL; first flight 29 March 2010; inducted 3 October 2022 at Jodhpur (No. 143 HU); named by Rajnath Singh
- Prachand order: 156 helicopters (90 Army, 66 IAF), ₹62,700 crore, 28 March 2025
- Prachand engine: two Shakti engines (HAL–Safran)
- ALH Dhruv: HAL's twin-engine utility helicopter; armed version is the Rudra
- HTT-40: HAL basic turboprop trainer; first flight 31 May 2016; 70 ordered for the IAF; first three delivered 18 September 2026
How it works
| Aircraft | Role | Designer / builder | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tejas Mk1 / Mk1A | Light combat fighter | ADA / HAL | 180 Mk1A on order |
| Tejas Mk2 | Medium-weight fighter | ADA / HAL | F414 engine |
| AMCA | Fifth-generation stealth fighter | ADA | Under development |
| LCH Prachand | Attack helicopter | HAL | Built for high-altitude operations |
| ALH Dhruv / Rudra | Utility / armed helicopter | HAL | Used by all three services and the Coast Guard |
| LUH | Light utility helicopter | HAL | Replacement for Cheetah and Chetak |
| HTT-40 | Basic trainer | HAL | Replaces the HPT-32 Deepak |
Why Prachand stands out. It was designed for the Himalayas, where thin air reduces lift. The Defence Ministry describes it as the only attack helicopter that can land and take off at 5,000 metres with weapons and fuel.
Licensed vs indigenous. HAL also builds foreign designs under licence, such as the Su-30MKI and the Dornier 228. Exams often ask which aircraft are indigenous designs (Tejas, Prachand, Dhruv, HTT-40) and which are licensed.
Recent developments
- 25 Oct 2026: The IAF's "Wings Over Ganges" show at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, marking its 94th anniversary, featured about 100 aircraft including the Tejas and the LCH Prachand; the Prime Minister attended.
- 18 Sep 2026: HAL delivered the first three HTT-40 trainers to the IAF.
Exam traps
- Tejas is designed by ADA and built by HAL; DRDO is ADA's parent, not the manufacturer.
- Prachand is an attack helicopter (LCH); Rudra is the armed version of the Dhruv; Apache is American, not indigenous.
- The Tejas uses an American GE engine; the indigenous Kaveri engine was not fitted to it.
- HAL got Maharatna status in 2024; it is not a Navratna any more.
- The first Tejas squadron is No. 45 "Flying Daggers"; the second is No. 18 "Flying Bullets".
Quick check
- Q: Which agency designed the Tejas light combat aircraft? A: The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
- Q: When was the LCH Prachand inducted into the IAF? A: 3 October 2022, at Jodhpur.
- Q: How many LCH Prachand helicopters were ordered in March 2025? A: 156.
Further reading
In the news
Every time this topic has appeared in our current affairs, newest first:
- 26 October 2026"Wings Over Ganges" air show held at Varanasi