July 07, 2014: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has published a request for information announcing a requirement for technical assistance from global aviation firms to reduce the weight and optimise the HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer, essentially a structural re-design of the platform. Affirming that the aircraft, 85 of which are on order, is to enter squadron service with the IAF within the year, there is little clarity on whether the fresh requirement impinges on existing timelines, principally final operational clearance officially fixed for December 2014. Earlier this year, the Indian Air Force had also sent out an RFI inviting interest in a potential deal for intermediate trainer jets. HAL's RFI for the re-design provides a detailed list of the major substructures that go into the overall build of the HJT-36. The platform has been stuck in trials, missing its last induction deadline of June 2012 as a result of an accident and stubborn failure to get past crucial performance requirements, including spin and stall recovery capabilities. The IAF has refused to induct the aircraft unless it proves these basic safety capabilities for Stage-II training of pilot cadets. HAL has identified a weight reduction as the only way the aircraft can fully meet the IAF's requirements. As things stand, it remains unclear whether the December 2014 deadline for FOC still stands, or could be pushed further.