SOURCE: AFI
A growing number of Indian defense enthusiasts and veterans are advocating for the revival of the HAL HF-24 Marut, India’s first indigenous fighter-bomber, as part of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Heritage Flight. The Marut, which first flew in 1961, holds a unique place in Indian aviation history as the nation’s first indigenously designed and manufactured combat aircraft. The push for its restoration reflects a wider movement to preserve India’s rich aerospace legacy, with many seeing the Marut as a symbol of India’s pioneering spirit in aircraft development and its early aspirations for aerospace self-reliance.
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the guidance of famed German aircraft designer Dr. Kurt Tank, the HF-24 Marut was a remarkable achievement for India’s nascent aerospace industry. As the first combat jet to be designed and built entirely within India, it marked a milestone in the nation’s defense capability during a period when indigenous aerospace technology was still in its infancy.
The HF-24 Marut served in the IAF from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, participating in major conflicts, including the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, where it demonstrated resilience in ground-attack roles. Though it faced limitations in speed and engine performance due to an underpowered engine, the Marut was beloved by pilots and mechanics alike for its robustness and agility, earning its place in Indian aviation history.
For many defense enthusiasts, the HF-24 Marut represents the early spirit of “Make in India” and the vision of India as an aerospace power. Bringing back a restored Marut to the skies would serve as a testament to India’s rich technological heritage and a powerful reminder of the country’s capability to design and produce indigenous aircraft, even with limited resources.
The revival of the Marut would also provide a tangible link to India’s aviation history for new generations of Indians, fostering a sense of pride in the nation’s aerospace achievements. While the IAF’s Heritage Flight currently includes aircraft like the MiG-21, defense supporters argue that the Marut’s indigenous roots make it an especially important piece of India’s aviation legacy.
Restoring the HF-24 to airworthy condition would be no easy task. Given that the aircraft was retired in the early 1980s, finding replacement parts and refurbishing aged components could prove challenging. Additionally, the original Marut’s Orpheus 703 engines were relatively underpowered and are no longer produced, making engine restoration or replacement another significant hurdle.
However, with India’s rapidly advancing aerospace industry, there may be innovative solutions to overcome these challenges. Advanced manufacturing techniques, reverse engineering, and potential partnerships with organizations skilled in aircraft restoration could support a successful revival. Moreover, the restoration could serve as a valuable project for HAL and other aerospace institutions to showcase their technical prowess, contributing to a broader culture of historical preservation within India’s defense sector.
The IAF’s Heritage Flight has garnered public interest as it showcases iconic aircraft that have served India’s defense needs over the decades. This initiative has inspired a renewed interest in preserving the legacies of other retired aircraft, including the MiG-23UB, MiG-21, and the HF-24 Marut. Heritage flights of historical aircraft serve not only as spectacles for aviation enthusiasts but also as powerful symbols of national pride and innovation.
The campaign to restore the HF-24 Marut underscores a growing desire among India’s defense community to honor and maintain its aerospace legacy. Other nations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, regularly restore and fly vintage aircraft as part of their air force heritage programs, providing citizens with a tangible connection to the past. Indian defense enthusiasts are increasingly calling for India to do the same, underscoring the Marut’s place as an essential piece of this heritage.