The Hindu Business Line : First Hawk aircraft landing in Bidar next week

Bangalore, Nov. 9 BAE Systems has said it has started delivering the Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft to IAF and the first two aircraft have left for Air Force Station Bidar in northern Karnataka.

The two are scheduled to reach Bidar on November 12 after a few refuelling stops. Ferrying of the remaining 22 BAE-built aircraft will continue over the coming months, the UK defence aerospace major said.

Coming in the 75th year of IAF’s creation, they are the first of 66 Hawk AJTs that IAF is acquiring to train the next generation of its pilots. Twenty-four are being built by BAE in the UK and 42 are to be manufactured in Bangalore by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The Rs 6,600-crore contract was signed in March 2004.

A senior IAF official said, “The induction of the Hawk aircraft marks the fulfilment of a long pending requirement in the Indian Air Force for an advanced jet trainer.” The Hawk AJTs would bridge the gap between training on the intermediate trainer and frontline operational fighters, mainly improving the safety aspect.

The release quoted Mr Mark Parkinson, Managing Director Training Solutions at BAE Systems, as saying, “This is a proud day for everyone involved on the Indian Hawk programme. Delivering the first Indian Hawks on time and budget marks a significant milestone on the project.”

As part of the deal, 75 IAF pilots have been trained on the RAF Hawk fleet in the UK. Around 100 IAF engineering officers and technicians have also been trained at BAE’s Technical Training Academy at Warton. IAF flying instructors have also undergone conversion training to become future instructors on the Indian Hawk.