Why the Indian Navy Should Back a Tejas LIFT Trainer With the IAF

The Indian Navy should plan its next jet trainer together with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and back a Tejas LIFT trainer built in India, says a recent analysis published by Indian Defence News on 8 October 2026. The argument is simple: if both services fly the same trainer, India can save money, train pilots better and give a big push to its own aircraft industry.

What is the IAF planning?

The IAF is looking to buy around 150 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) aircraft. A LIFT is a fast jet trainer that sits between basic training and real fighter jets. It prepares young pilots to handle modern combat aircraft such as the Tejas, Rafale and future fighters.

These new trainers are meant to replace the IAF’s ageing Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers, which have been in service since the late 2000s. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expected to offer a trainer derived from the Tejas light combat aircraft for this need. HAL had earlier shown a model of this concept, called the HLFT-42, at Aero India 2025.

Why the Navy fits into this plan

The Navy also flies Hawk trainers to prepare its fighter pilots, and this fleet will need to be replaced in the coming years. The analysis says the Navy should join the IAF’s programme now instead of starting a separate search later. It suggests the Navy go for a navalised version of the same Tejas-based trainer.

There are a few clear benefits of a common trainer for both services:

• Lower costs: One aircraft type means shared spare parts, tools, maintenance and supply chains, which cuts running costs over many years.

• Shared training setup: Simulators, training material and ground facilities can be used by both services.

• Bigger orders: A larger combined order makes each aircraft cheaper to build and keeps HAL’s assembly line busy for longer.

• Self-reliance: More orders for a home-built aircraft support the government’s push to make defence equipment in India.

The carrier connection

A Tejas-based trainer would also have a useful link to carrier flying. India has already tested a naval version of the Tejas, known as the LCA Navy. This prototype carried out landings and take-offs on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in 2020. In February 2023, it became the first Indian-made fighter to land on INS Vikrant, India’s home-built carrier.

That experience means a navalised Tejas trainer could be designed for naval pilot training, both on shore and in roles linked to carrier operations. This matters because landing a jet on a moving ship is one of the hardest skills in military flying.

Plan now, not later

The analysis warns that the Navy should not wait until its Hawk fleet is close to retirement. Building a new trainer, testing it and getting it ready for service takes many years. If the Navy commits early, HAL can plan one production line for both services from the start, instead of making costly changes later.

The piece calls for a single, unified Indian system for advanced pilot training, where both the Air Force and the Navy use the same home-grown trainer jet.

The bigger picture

The Indian Navy’s fighter fleet is going through a major change. It currently flies MiG-29K jets from its carriers and has ordered Rafale-M fighters. In the longer term, it hopes to operate the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) being developed in India. All of these aircraft will need well-trained pilots, which makes the choice of trainer jet an important long-term decision.

For now, there is no official word that the Navy has decided to join the IAF’s LIFT programme. However, the idea of one Tejas-based trainer for both services is likely to get more attention as the IAF moves ahead with its plan to replace the Hawk.