123 Hawk advanced jet trainers to be delivered by 2016: MoD
18 Aug 2011
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force and Navy expect to take delivery of all the 123 Hawk advanced jet trainers (AJTs) on order by 2016, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday.
In a written reply defence minister AK Antony said the government had signed an agreement in March 2004 with British firms BAE Systems and Rolls Royce Turbomeca, UK, for procurement of 24 Hawks, with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) building another 42 planes under the technology transfer route.
These 66 planes are intended for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and will be used to fill the gap in training aircraft between the air force's HJT-16 Kirans and advanced supersonic aircraft.
"All the 24 direct supply aircraft have been delivered by BAE Systems while 28 out of the 42 aircraft contracted with HAL had been delivered till July," Antony informed the house.
He said the government had in July 2010 signed another contract with HAL for procurement of an additional 57 Hawk AJTs.
"Of these, 40 are for the IAF and 17 are for the Indian Navy. The delivery of these aircraft will commence from 2013 and is expected to be completed by 2016," Antony said.