HAL HJT-36 Yashas

The HAL HJT-36 Yashas, first named Sitara, is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer designed by the Aircraft Research and Design Centre and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and Navy, to replace the HJT-16 Kiran. HAL began design work in 1997 and the first prototype flew on 7 March 2003. The programme was long delayed by spin-test problems, limited series production began by 2010, and the aircraft was renamed Yashas at Aero India 2025 after significant design changes. It has low swept wings, a tandem cockpit and small intakes on either side of the fuselage, and it is meant for stage two pilot training, armament training and aerobatics.