The HTT-40 will be an all-metal tandem seat aircraft powered by a turboprop engine. In early 2012 the company forecast building 106 examples. By the middle of 2012 the aircraft's future was in doubt as the Indian Air Force ordered 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk IIs to fill the role envisioned for the HTT-40. In September 2012 the Air Force indicated that it had formally rejected the HTT-40 for service based on its cost per aircraft being double that of the PC-7 Mk II, a proven aircraft already in service worldwide. An MoD official noted, "We would be willing to pay higher rates to build indigenous capability in strategic defence equipment. But can HAL argue that the capability to build basic trainers is strategically vital" HAL did not confirm the IAF announcement that it will not buy the HTT-40, nor would the company indicate whether the aircraft's development will be continued. A company spokesman said, "We treat all MOD issues/proposals as confidential...All our projects are conceived with national interest in mind though, at times, some of those take time to fructify". Once the HTT-40 started flying, the Indian Air Force commander publicly stated that IAF will buy HTT-40 in large numbers. On 28 February 2015, it was reported that Indian defense ministry has selected 68 HAL HTT-40 trainers and 38 Pilatus trainers to replace its current trainer aircraft fleet stating that this move was "commercially viable". On 21 June 2015, HAL chose the Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B turboprop to power the trainer. HAL rolled out the first prototype on 2 February 2016. The HTT-40 had its first flight on 31 May 2016. The flight lasted for about 30 minutes. The pilot carried out circuits and the aircraft performance was satisfactory. The HTT-40 made its first public introduction flight on 17 June 2016, with Defence MinisterManohar Parrikar in attendance at the HAL airport in Bangalore. On 19 May 2017, the second prototype completed its maiden flight. On 10 November 2018, HTT-40 started its spin test by successfully entering into two-turn spin and subsequently recovering with the appropriate controls. According to HAL, the spin testing is the most crucial and challenging aspect of flight testing of any aircraft development programme. Arup Chatterjee, Director said the spin completion was the last metric which needed to be accomplished before the aircraft entered service. On 6 September 2019 HTT-40 completed a five spin trial successfully and on 7 September 2019 it successfully completed a six spin trial. A HAL official said if all goes right than it will get IOC by end of 2019 and after placement of order 1st aircraft will be handed over to IAF within 1 year. HAL is looking for LSP by 2020.
