A classic aircraft of Training Command flies past at Aero India 2019. First flown on Sept. 4, 1964, the successful Kiran was designed and built by HAL as a basic jet trainer. The first Kiran Mk.Is with the RR Viper 11 turbojet were inducted in the IAF in March 1968, equipping the Flying Instructors School (FIS) at Tambaram. Production was switched to the Mk.IA with hardpoints under the wings, and later to the Mk.II with a 18.728kN RR Orpheus 701-05 turbojet for Stage-II training of fighter pilots.