British Hawks to give demo in Goa

Mumbai, May 20 (UNI) The Red Arrows, Britain's crack aerobatic team, will give a demonstration of Hawk jet in Goa on Tuesday, which India is to buy to meet its requirement of an advanced jet trainer.

The 22-minute performance by the British team is a part of its tour to the country besides the West Asia and Europe, an official release said yesterday.

''The Red Arrows are ambassadors of the Royal Air Force and Great Britain and we aim to demonstrate UK's excellence wherever we display. We are very honoured to have been invited to display in Goa,'' Squadron Leader Dicky Patounas of Eastern Arrow said.

Hawk sales director Mike Rudd said, ''As India is one of many customers to have selected aircraft to meet its advanced jet training requirements, it is totally appropriate for the Red Arrows to display the unique characteristics of the world's most successful fast jet trainer.'' He said, ''with the lowest acquisition and operating costs of all aircraft in its class, and the cutting edge technology of its on-board systems and supporting ground based training, Hawk is suited for next generation fighter training.'' Hawk will offer ''digital'' training environment for student pilots destined to fly the next generation of frontline combat aircraft such as Typhoon and the F-35 JSF, he added.

The Red Arrows have been carrying out a series of flying displays of Hawk worldwide. Under the command of Sqd. Leader Dicky Patounas, Eastern Arrow will also hold a similar display in Jordan, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Greece.

Besides India, the latest Hawk variants have been selected by the Royal Australian Air Force, South Africa and Bahrain, the release said.

UNI CP SA PK HT0950