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The 'HAL HJT-16 Kiran' (''Ray of Light'' in English) is an Indian two-seat basic jet trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics. Used by the Indian Air Force for intermediate training for pilots trained on the HPT-32 Deepak. It is used by the Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran and Indian naval acrobatic team Sagar Pawans.

Contents

Development

Replacement

Variant

Operators

Specification (Kiran IA)

References

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Development

The Kiran was designed to meet an Indian air force requirement for a basic jet trainer. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce Viper Mk 11 was flown for the first time on the 4 September 1964. The production aircraft was designated the 'Kiran I', and first deliveries from a pre-production batch were delivered to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training (as the 'Kiran IA'. A total of 190 aircraft were built. An improved version powered by a 3,400lb thrust Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the 'Kiran II' and was delivered from 1983.

Replacement

Kiran Sridhara will be replaced with the new HAL HJT-36 trainer undergoing flight trials. The Indian Air Force has already placed orders for 12 such aircraft to replace the Kiran's used by the Surya Kiran team.

Variant

★ 'Kiran Mk.I' : Two-seat basic jet trainer powered by a Rolls Royce Viper turbo-jet engine.

★ 'Kiran Mk.IA' : Two-seat basic jet trainer with armament capability

★ 'Kiran Mk.II' : Improved version with four hardpoints and integral twin 7.62mm machine guns in nose and a Rolls Royce Orpheus engine

Operators

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★ Indian Air Force

★ Indian Navy

Specification (Kiran IA)

References

★ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), , , , Orbis Publishing, ,

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