HAL HF-24 Marut
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited · India · first flew 1961 · fighter
The HAL HF-24 Marut (Spirit of the Tempest) was India's first indigenously designed and manufactured jet fighter-bomber, a milestone achievement for Indian aviation industry. Designed with German assistance, it served with the Indian Air Force from 1967.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.87 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- India's first indigenously designed jet fighter
- Delta wing with twin side intakes
- Low-set tail with distinctive ogival wing leading edge
The HF-24 is identified by its slim, sharp-nosed fuselage, low delta wing with a curved leading edge, twin side-mounted intakes behind the cockpit, and a conventional tail. Its Indian Air Force markings and distinctive silhouette make it hard to confuse with contemporary Western fighters.
Specifications
- The HAL HF-24 Marut has a length of 15.87 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1112 km/h (691 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by a team led by German engineer Kurt Tank, who had previously designed the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the Marut first flew in June 1961. Engine availability proved a persistent problem; the desired supersonic engine was never procured and the Orpheus turbojet limited performance. Around 145 were built.
Variants
The Marut Mk.1T was a two-seat trainer variant. An improved Mk.1A with modest upgrades was the final production version. A proposed supersonic development with afterburning Orpheus engines was studied but never realised.
Where you'll see it
Entered Indian Air Force service in 1967 and saw combat during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, conducting ground attack missions against targets in what is now Bangladesh. The type was retired in the early 1990s.
Related aircraft
- HAL HAL-27 Krishak
- HAL Krishak Mk.2
- HAL HJT-16 Kiran
- HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk I
- Canadair CF-104D
- F-4B / F-4C Phantom II
- McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II
- Tu-128 Fiddler
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