Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has officially rebranded its upgraded Hindustan Jet Trainer (HJT)-36 as ‘Yashas’, marking a new milestone in India’s indigenous aviation capabilities. The announcement was made by Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), in the presence of Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL, along with senior officials at the ongoing Aero India 2025.
The transformation of the HJT-36 into Yashas follows extensive modifications that have significantly enhanced its performance, particularly in departure characteristics and spin resistance. These changes ensure a more robust and reliable platform for Stage-II pilot training, offering superior safety and handling characteristics essential for modern military aviation.
“The large-scale changes to the baseline intermediate training platform have led to significant improvements in its capabilities. As a result, we have taken the opportunity to rename it in alignment with its continued relevance in advanced pilot training. Henceforth, the HJT-36 will be known as ‘Yashas’, signifying success and excellence,” said Dr. D.K. Sunil, CMD, HAL.
To ensure seamless integration with contemporary training needs, Yashas has been upgraded with cutting-edge avionics and a modernized cockpit. These enhancements include:
Advanced Glass Cockpit: Featuring Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) and a Heads-Up Display (HUD) for improved situational awareness. Stepped-Up Rear Cockpit & Drooped Nose: Providing exceptional all-around vision, essential for training and operational safety. FADEC-Controlled AL-55I Jet Engine: Offering optimal thrust management, high reliability, and best-in-class thrust-to-weight ratio. Enhanced Training & Combat Capabilities: Supporting counter-insurgency, counter-surface force operations, aerobatics, and armament training with a payload capacity of up to 1000 kg. Operational Efficiency: Features such as single-point ground refueling and defueling streamline maintenance and turnaround time.
Yashas underscores HAL’s commitment to strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence aviation. With its advanced capabilities, the aircraft is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of fighter pilots for the Indian Armed Forces. The unveiling at Aero India 2025 is expected to generate interest from both domestic and international markets, reinforcing India’s position as a leader in indigenous aerospace technology.
As HAL continues to innovate and refine its aircraft portfolio, Yashas stands as a testament to India’s aerospace ambitions, bridging the gap between basic and advanced jet training with a platform that meets modern combat training requirements.
