The prototype Ajeet, E1083, preserved outside HAL's headquarters in Bangalore
Role
Fighter
Type of aircraft
National origin
India
Manufacturer
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
First flight
6 March 1975
Introduction
1977
Retired
1991
Status
Retired
Primary user
Indian Air Force (IAF)
Number built
89 (including 10 upgraded Gnats)
Developed from
Folland Gnat
The HAL Ajeet (Sanskrit: अजीत; IAST: Ajīt, lit. Undefeatable or Unconquerable) was a jet-powered fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It was operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) between 1977 and 1991.
The Ajeet is a derivative of the British Folland Gnat light fighter aircraft. The Gnat, which had been procured in large numbers for the IAF and produced under license by HAL, had acquitted itself favourably during its Indian service, including in active combat roles during multiple conflicts with Pakistan, including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. As such, the IAF had a positive attitude towards the type, despite observing shortcomings in maintainability and some subsystems. Thus, during 1972, the service issued a requirement calling for the development of an upgraded and more capable variant of the Gnat, leading to the development of the Ajeet by HAL.
In the design phase of the Ajeet, HAL redesigned several aspects of the aircraft while seeking to improve both the reliability and effectiveness of several subsystems, such as the avionics and hydraulic systems. The adoption of a wet wing expanded the fighter's internal fuel capacity and freed-up several underwing hardpoints for other purposes, effectively increasing both the range and payload capability of the aircraft. On 6 March 1975, the first of two Ajeet prototypes, producing via the conversion of the final two licence-produced Gnat fighters, conducted its maiden flight. The satisfactory performance of these prototypes contributed to the issuing of a production order for the Ajeet. On 30 September 1976, the first production aircraft performed its maiden flight.[1] Introduced to service during the following year, the Ajeet had a relatively brief and unremarkable service life, equipping only a single IAF squadron and being withdrawn from service during 1991.
The HALAjeet (Sanskrit: अजीत; IAST: Ajīt, lit. Undefeatable or Unconquerable) was a jet-powered fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by Indian...
its performance during combat, India proceeded to develop the improved HALAjeet, a modified variant of the Gnat. In British service, the Gnat was replaced...
served with the British, Finnish, Indian and Yugoslav air forces. The HALAjeet, or Gnat 2, is also included. Stored or under restoration Gnat T1 VH-XSO...
1974), a Sri Lankan politician Ajith (film), a 2014 Indian Kannada film HALAjeet, an Indian jet fighter plane Ajit, an alternative name of the future Buddha...
were inducted into the air force. HAL also started developing an improved version of the Folland Gnat, known as HALAjeet. At the same time, the IAF also...
The HAL Prachand (IPA: prəcəɳɖ, lit. "Giant" or "Intense") is an Indian multi-role light attack helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics...
2006. CAC Sabre English Electric Lightning Folland Gnat Gloster Javelin HALAjeet Hawker Hunter Saab Draken Saab Lansen SEPECAT Jaguar ST Aerospace A-4S...
The HAL Dhruv (lit: "Firm") is a utility helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in November 1984. The helicopter first...
Two lend-lease bombers refurbished by HAL. Target tug from 1965, retired in 1967. 247 built under licence by HAL. PR.55 were T.55s converted to photo reconnaissance...
Gnat HALAjeet Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Lockheed T-33 Northrop F-5 Northrop T-38 Talon The Folland Gnat / HALAjeet Archived...
civilian and military aircraft. State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) remains the largest manufacturer of aircraft in country. X-Air X-Air Hanuman...
The HAL Rudra (Sanskrit - Roaring) also known as ALH-WSI, is an armed version of the HAL Dhruv utility helicopter which is designed and produced by the...
service from 1959 to 1979. India produced an improved derivative of it, the HALAjeet. With an empty weight of 2,177 kg (4,799 lb) it was the lightest successful...
The HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) along with its derivative Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) was designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research...
The HAL Tejas (lit. 'Radiance') is an Indian single-engine, 4.5 generation delta wing multirole combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development...
CATS Warrior is a part of the HAL Combat Air Teaming System program. Its work is believed to have started in early 2019 under a Public Private Partnership...
The HAL Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) is an Indian unmanned and manned combat aircraft air teaming system being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics...
The HAL Tejas Mark 2 (lit. "Radiance"), or Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is an Indian single-engine, canard delta wing, multirole combat aircraft designed...
The HAL Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is a canard delta wing, twin-engine, carrier-based, multirole combat aircraft currently under development...
Fifth-generation jet fighter Related development HAL HLFT-42 Sukhoi/HAL FGFA HAL Tejas HAL Tejas Mk2 HAL TEDBF HAL ORCA Aircraft of comparable role, configuration...
helicopter currently under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Armed Forces. It is designed for multiple roles, air assault...
Global Information