First four Hawks for India to be delivered in Q3 2007

Bangalore, Feb 7 (UNI) The first four Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) are due to be delivered to India by BAE Systems in the third quarter of this year.

The Indian Air Force, under an agreement signed in 2004, was to acquire 66 new Hawks (all Hawk Mk 132s), making it the largest Hawk operator outside Britain and the United States. BAE systems would provide the first 24 aircraft for India, while public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would produce the remaining 42 under license.

According to a report published in show news briefing at the ongoing Aero India international exposition here, the first batch of the 66 Hawks had its maiden flight on December 14 from BAE Systems' Warton airfield.

UNI