The Hindustan Aeronautics limited [HAL] HF-24 Marut fighter-bomber was built in India, design by Kurt Tank, famous for his Focke-Wulf aircraft designed for Germany throughout WWII. The HF-24 Marut represents the moderately successful attempt by Hindustan Aeronautics limited [HAL] to design and create a jet fighter. The Marut featured alittle swept wing and wonderful maneuverability. It had limited combat potential cause of the low engine power, and could barely reach supersonic speeds in level flight.
The first prototype flew on June 17, 1961, with a complete of 147 aircraft built, as well two-seat HF-24 Mk 1Ts. The fighter was eventually short-closed because of an under-powered engine and absence of foresight. The Marut continued in service with the Indian Air Force till the aircraft was decommissioned in 1985. The Marut became emblematic of the Nehruvian emphasis on industrial and economic self-reliance, deemed particularly necessary in the realms of defence industries.
The first prototype flew on June 17, 1961, with a complete of 147 aircraft built, as well two-seat HF-24 Mk 1Ts. The fighter was eventually short-closed because of an under-powered engine and absence of foresight. The Marut continued in service with the Indian Air Force till the aircraft was decommissioned in 1985. The Marut became emblematic of the Nehruvian emphasis on industrial and economic self-reliance, deemed particularly necessary in the realms of defence industries.
