BAE Systems has not only managed to fend off a low-intensity war with HAL over a host of problems with the Hawk advanced jet trainer license build programme, including a damages claim, but is on the threshold of receiving a fat follow-on order for 57 more Hawks to add to 66 already contracted for. All 57 will be manufactured by HAL in country. With this new development, India's RFI last year for 57 new jet trainers -- sent out when things had really soured between BAE and HAL -- is null and void, and the Hawk prevails after all. As was the plan earlier, 40 of the new order will be for the air force and 17 for the Indian Navy. HAL chairman Ashok Nayak told Hindustan Times correspondent Rahul Singh in Farnborough yesterday, "We have ironed out all niggles with BAE Systems. The deal is going to be signed soon." Just how both sides ironed out those niggles would be supremely interesting.
14 comments:
Why do i smell a hawkish scandal in air? is this a Time-Bomb that is now waiting to blow-up? Am sure few unhappy people will Jump to it with fingers in directions you can't imagine..
it is all about sniffing the right smell and chasing it..
GOD SAVE INDIA!!!. Just how much Money do people want.
When is David Cameroon visiting India?
I am glad - fact is that India needs trainers. Another RFI and another long tender procurement process would kill pilots. Not to mention overheads of having 2 different trainer aircraft.
then what about the sitara ????? has that devlopment program run it's course?????
sitara is an IJT and nothing to fill the gap of AJT( like Hawk)..
It is good that a crucial matter has been resolved. The financial implications may be understood later.
Well it is NOT A BAD IDEA Floating a new RFP to sort out an old dispute.
We save both time and money.
THIS METHOD can be used for submarines procurement.
LET SCORPENE makers fight for this new submarine contract
Can Hawk be used for close air support and other task similar to LCH like intercepting UAV? Has IAF configured it with any sensors?
Can Hawk be used for close air support and other task similar to LCH like intercepting UAV? Has IAF configured it with any sensors?
there is no harm in having two different AJTs. But the main thing is to stick to the protocols for buying aircraft. just because RFIs are slow doesn't means the tender should not be floated.
and are the 17 hawks that navy going to get T-45 Goshawks..
Not sure why but I do NOT feel comfortable with this news. There is a gut feel that no issues have been ironed out just white washed for public consumption. Once the additional 57 Hawks will be delivered, we will be back to the same mud slinging. Someone is making a lot of money in this deal, this is for sure.
we buy whilst Pakis make profit from their K-8's. We need to be ashamed. Why can't we produce anything of quality.
The Hawk assembly line has been shifted to India so it is semi-indigenous anyway. If you ask me this is a golden opportunity to let the Indian private sector develop some experience by letting Mahindra Aerospace(they bought an Australian aircraft maker) or Tata Aerostructures(tied up with Boeing) develop a new trainer.
Forget HAL, they've got more than enough projects on their plate(which they themselves admit) and besides why should they remain 'India's sole Aircraft maker' forever and ever?
17 for the IN? That's a lot! Good. We must continue to beef up the IN air arm. IN test pilots have been flying the LCA for some time now.
Post a Comment