
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to upgrade its fleet of HPT-32 trainer aircraft, which was grounded following a fatal air crash in 2009.
Defence Minister AK Antony said in parliament that the HPT-32 trainer aircraft would be upgraded with critical modifications by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The IAF is currently using its Kiran mk1 (HJT-16) aircraft for basic and intermediate flying training, after grounding over 100 Deepak HPT-32 basic trainer aircraft.
The air force uses its basic trainer aircraft to train and prepare their rookie pilots for flying bigger aircraft, including fighter and transport aircraft.