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India Defence Online, New Delhi – The Indian Navy can soon boast the advanced trainers in its fleet since a procurement deal worth $676 million has been signed for 17 new Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs). The new AJTs will be used to train the Indian Navy pilots and will be delivered by 2013.
The Hawk AJTs will be manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and will be used to train fighter pilots of the Indian Navy. While the current training of the pilots takes place in the Air Force Academy, a parallel training academy will be set-up once the Hawk AJTs are inducted in 2013.
Interestingly, India is on the verge of finalising the terms with the UK-based aircraft manufacturer BAE Systems for buying an additional 57 Hawk AJTs. This would be a follow-on order that India would place with BAE Systems, but the aircraft would be built by HAL at its Bangalore facilities. Of the 57 Hawk AJTs to be ordered, 40 would go to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the remaining 17 to the Indian Navy.
According to the Indian Navy, the acquisition of the Hawk AJTs is crucial to boost the capabilities of its fighter pilots. To impart training to the aviators in an advanced multi-role fighter like the Hawk AJT is imperative. The Hawk AJT consists of a state-of-the-art avionics suite and navigation/attack system, a modern glass cockpit and HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) controls.
The Indian Navy is carrying out elaborate modernisation plans as two aircraft carriers, the INS Vikramidtya (Admiral Gorshkov refurbished by Russia) and the indigenously built Air Defence Ship (ADS), are soon to be inducted. Both these are expected to be inducted in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Besides, Indian Navy is also acquiring roughly 50 fighter planes and will need to train enough aviators. These include the naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) built indigenously, MiG-29 K from Russia to be operated from aircraft carriers and eight Boeing P 8I maritime multi-mission aircraft from the U.S.
Indian defence news and strategic intelligence
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