BAE Systems has signed a contract with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply products and services for 17 Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft being built for the Indian Navy.
The Hawk AJT is the latest jet training aircraft specifically designed to provide training for future pilots of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft including Typhoons, F-35 Lightning IIs and F18s.
Equipped with the latest cockpit displays and sensors, the AJT demonstrates stable, carefree handling characteristics and provides a safe training environment for pilots.
The Hawk can also demonstrate air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and tactical formation flying and perform extended missions through the use of air-to-air refuelling.
The major portion of the £500m ($781.5m) contract involves the supply of products and services for 40 Hawk AJTs to be built for the Indian Air Force.
Manufacturing work will be carried out under licence at HAL’s facilities in Bangalore while BAE will provide specialist engineering services, the raw materials and necessary equipment for airframe production along with the maintenance services package.
