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Due to the delay in the production of Hawk –100 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Indian Air Force (IAF) has tied up with BAE Systems for the delivery of 59 AJTs. The extended contract will be signed by India and UK based BAE Systems shortly.
An Indian Air Force official disclosed that the increased induction of trainers in the future has led to the decision for acquiring additional trainers besides the HAL delay. Officials added that 40 trainers out of the 59 will be for IAF and the rest for naval training exercises.
HAL has cited inadequate transfer of technology as the main reason for lagging behind schedule. HAL officials revealed that that Block I of 34 aircraft has been produced and certain inadequacies in technology are causing the delay. However, BAE Systems has indicated that it is giving full support regarding production and technology.
HAL has already delivered an indigenously produced Hawk MK 132 AJT to the IAF and is contracted to make 57 additional Hawk AJTs under license production for the Air Force and Navy.
Company officials said HAL is scheduled to deliver 42 AJT which is being made in the HAL facilities with the help of BAE Systems’ technology by 2012. The engines and airframes of the AJT are being produced indigenously, the avionics and radars will be imported from BAE Systems.
The $1.6 billion deal with BAE Systems was signed in 2004 for 66 Hawk trainers out of which 24 will be delivered in flyaway condition and the rest to be produced under technology transfer in India.
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