SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has taken a significant step in the development of its Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42) by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for a jet engine to power this ambitious supersonic trainer aircraft. Released on March 17, 2025, the RFI outlines stringent performance criteria, calling for an engine with a maximum thrust of 95-100 kN (kilonewtons) and a total technical life of 6,000 hours. This move signals HAL’s intent to equip the HLFT-42 with a powerplant capable of meeting the rigorous demands of modern pilot training while potentially laying the groundwork for India’s broader aerospace ambitions.
According to details emerging from industry sources , the RFI specifies an engine with a maximum thrust of 95-100 kilonewtons (kN) and a total technical life of 6,000 hours. maximum Mach Number at1.8 and will be able to operate at Up to 18 km (60,000 feet).
Unveiled as a scale model at Aero India 2023, the HLFT-42 is designed to bridge the gap between basic trainers and India’s frontline fighters, such as the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Conceived in 2017, this single-engine, conventionally swept-wing aircraft aims to prepare pilots for 4.5- and 5th-generation jets, featuring state-of-the-art avionics like Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, and a Fly-by-Wire (FBW) control suite. With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 16.5 tons—just shy of the Tejas Mk2’s 17.5 tons—the HLFT-42 is also envisioned as a fully-fledged fighter, capable of carrying weapons like the Astra beyond-visual-range missile and ASRAAM close-combat missiles across its 11 hardpoints.
Previously idrw.org has reported that Indian Air Force (IAF) intends to replace its ageing BAE Hawk 132 jet trainers with the HLFT-42, reflecting a shift toward a supersonic platform that can simulate modern combat scenarios. These parameters position the HLFT-42 as a high-performance platform, surpassing many existing LIFT aircraft like the BAE Hawk (Mach 1.2) and rivaling advanced trainers like South Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle (Mach 1.5). The engine’s ability to deliver 95-100 kN of thrust—equivalent to 21,000-22,500 pounds—will be critical to achieving this envelope, ensuring the aircraft can simulate the dynamics of modern fighters while remaining stable at low speeds for training maneuvers.
HAL seeks comprehensive information on design, performance, maintenance, and lifecycle costs, indicating that this RFI is a precursor to a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). The data will shape procurement decisions, potentially leading to a competitive tender or a partnership with an engine maker.
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