Indian Air Force Issues RFI for New Jet Trainer

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a new jet trainer aircraft to undertake Stage III advanced flight training for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The requirement for approximately 150 aircraft also includes a substantial suite of networked simulation and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training capabilities.

The IAF follows a three-stage training pattern comprising Stage I (Basic), Stage II (Intermediate) and Stage III (Advanced). A fleet of approximately 98 Hawk Mk132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) perform the Stage III role and have been in service for nearly two decades.

The new requirement is intended to provide the IAF with next-generation training capability with the RFI envisaging an eventual Request for Proposal (RFP) by December 2027

The RFI requires all 150 aircraft to be delivered within five years of contract signature.

Leonardo told Halldale, "We're closely assessing the Indian Air Force advanced trainer fleet modernization plan and national industrial collaboration opportunities and we believe the M-346 integrated training system remains today's best choice to meet similar emerging requirements to train the next generation of fighter pilots transitioning to current and future generation of aircraft."

The new trainer aircraft will be used for air to air and air to ground training in a network-centric environment and must support LVC training through a datalink connecting the aircraft, simulators and scenario generators.

The procurement will also include networked high-fidelity Full Mission Simulators (FMS) equipped with 360° visual domes. The simulators must replicate complete sortie profiles, including emergency procedures and combat scenarios. The IAF is also seeking in-flight air combat and ground target simulation capability.

While Stage III training of fighter pilots takes place on the Hawk Mk132 fleet, air force pilots undertake Stage I and Stage II training on Pilatus PC-7 MKII turboprop trainers, supplemented by indigenous Hindustan Aeronautics built Kiran intermediate jet trainers in the Stage II role.

The long delayed HAL HJT-36 ‘Sitara’ IJT programme was to have provided a replacement for the Kiran aircraft, however the programme which has halted in 2016 was received as the Yashas in 2024.

Want to read more on how the IAF trains? Click here: India's Airpower Ambitions Face a Training Bottleneck