Development
The Kiran was designed to meet an Indian air force requirement for a basic jet trainer. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce Viper Mk 11 was flown for the first time on 4 September 1964. The production aircraft was designated the Kiran I, and first deliveries from a pre-production batch were delivered to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training (as the Kiran IA. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were built. An improved version powered by a 4,200 lbf (19,000 N) thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II, first flying on 30 July 1976, and was delivered from 1985, 61 being delivered by the time production ended in 1989. During this period there was a pilot killed during landing - the investigation found that the plane was fitted with 'expired' wheels from Dunlop; the shelf life for them was 20 years, and to no surprise they bursted on landing claiming the life of the test pilot.
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