Aero India 2023: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) unveiled the scale model of the Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42) at Aero India 2023, generating a lot of excitement as the “Next Gen Supersonic Trainer” for modern aircraft combat training in India.
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Lord Hanuman’s photo on the tail
Along with the aircraft’s impressive capabilities, visitors were also fascinated by the picture of Lord Hanuman on the aircraft’s vertical fin, which has since been removed. This picture represented the aircraft’s heritage and relation to its predecessors, particularly the HAL Marut, India’s first aircraft. The HLFT-42 serves as a successor to the Marut and is named after the Hindu God of Wind, Pawan, whose name also means ‘Marut.’ The presence of Lord Hanuman on the tail of the HLFT-42 scale model was a nod to its origins and relation to India’s aviation history.
However, this did not go well with several others and ultimately HAL removed the photo. HAL Chairman and Managing Director CB Anathakrishnan said, “After internal discussion, we decided to remove the image of Hanuman as it is not appropriate to put it now.”
The HLFT-42 will bridge the gap between the Mig-21 and Hawk-132 Subsonic Trainer, currently used for supersonic technology education for pilots. The HAL indoor pavilion at Aero India 2023 showcased other scale models, including the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), LCA Mk 2, RUAV helicopter, and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) trainer, as well as the Hindustan Turbo-shaft Engine-1200.
What is Aero India 2023?
Aero India 2023 was a platform for India to exhibit its equipment, aircraft, and technologies, and to establish partnerships with other countries. HAL stated its intention to promote indigenous platforms to visiting defence delegations, arranging business meetings with original equipment manufacturers and customers.
Aero India 2023 featured more than 800 defence companies, with over 700 Indian companies and over 100 foreign ones participating. Over 80 nations attended, including 65 CEOs of foreign and Indian OEMs and ministers from around 30 nations. Indian MSMEs and start-ups also presented their aerospace and defence capabilities and specialised technologies.
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