HAL Ajeet
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited · India · first flew 1976 · fighter
The HAL Ajeet is an Indian-developed evolution of the Folland Gnat lightweight fighter, with improved avionics, integral fuel tanks, and other enhancements for combat effectiveness.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.04 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Indian-built improved Gnat with delta wing
- Very compact single-seat lightweight fighter
- Rolls-Royce Orpheus turbojet in a tiny airframe
Extremely small delta-wing single-seat jet fighter; even tinier than contemporaries such as the Mirage III; the very short fuselage and broad delta wing are immediately distinctive.
Specifications
- The HAL Ajeet has a length of 9.04 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.73 m (22 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1150 km/h (715 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Ajeet (Sanskrit for Unconquerable) first flew in 1976 and entered service with the Indian Air Force. It retained the Gnat's exceptional manoeuvrability while addressing the original's maintenance shortcomings.
Variants
A two-seat Ajeet Trainer was developed alongside the single-seat fighter.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Indian Air Force until retirement in the 1990s; displayed at several Indian aviation museums.
Related aircraft
- HAL HPT-32 Deepak
- HAL Basant
- HAL HJT-16 Kiran
- HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk I
- Aermacchi MB-339A
- Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3
- MB-339
- MiG-23ML
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