HAL HJT-16 Kiran

The HAL HJT-16 Kiran ("Ray of light") is an Indian two-seat intermediate jet trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Used by the Indian Air Force for intermediate training for pilots trained on the HPT-32 Deepak. It is used by the Indian naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawan and was also used by the Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran until February 2011, when the team was disbanded after its HJT-16 Mk I and Mk II aircraft were diverted to train fighter pilots. The Defence Ministry is expected to place an order for 20 Hawk Mk132 aircraft with HAL in late 2015 to give the Surya Kiran dedicated aircraft.

Development


The Kiran was designed to meet an Indian air force requirement for an intermediate jet trainer. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce Viper Mk 11 was flown for the first time on 4 September 1964. The production aircraft was designated the Kiran I, and first pre-production deliveries were made to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training and redesignated as the Kiran IA. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were built. An uprated version powered by a 4200 lbf thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine and enhanced weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II, which first flew on 30 July 1976, and deliveries commenced in 1985 with 61 delivered by the time production ended in 1989.

Notable accidents
A Kiran Mk II of the Sagar Pawan Aerobatic Team of the Indian Navy crashed at Hyderabad during the Indian Aviation 2010 air show on 3 March 2010, killing both crewmembers.

Variant

 * Kiran Mk I
 * Two-seat intermediate jet trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbo-jet engine. 118 built.


 * Kiran Mk IA
 * Two-seat intermediate jet trainer with armament capability. Two underwing hardpoints fitted. 72 built.


 * Kiran Mk II
 * Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62 mm machine guns in nose and a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine.

Operators

 * Indian Air Force : 87
 * Indian Navy : 20
 * Indian Navy : 20