India Signs Up For 57 More BAE Hawk Jet Trainers

Here goes BAE's statement today (without the fluff): BAE Systems has secured a new order, worth over £500 million, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to supply products and services to enable a further 57 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft to be built under licence in India for the Indian Air Force (40 aircraft) and Indian Navy (17 aircraft). The final terms and conditions for the contract were signed by Guy Griffiths, Group Managing Director International, BAE Systems, in the presence of British Prime Minister, David Cameron on his visit to India and BAE Systems' Chairman Dick Olver.

The aircraft will be manufactured under licence at HAL's facilities in Bangalore and BAE Systems will provide specialist engineering services, the raw materials and equipment necessary for airframe production and the support package for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy end users.

Commenting on the news BAE Systems India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Gallagher said,
"HAL is the premier aerospace company in India and BAE Systems is proud to be able to build on its long-standing relationship with HAL to deliver a further batch of this excellent aircraft to increase the Indian Air Force's fast jet training capacity and establish a similar fast jet training solution for the Indian Navy. The Hawk AJT fast jet training solution enables an Air Force or Navy to provide front line pilots for even the most modern fighter aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon or Sukhoi Su-30."

Guy Griffiths, added,
"This new order continues and strengthens the long standing relationship between BAE Systems and HAL. It highlights the importance of BAE Systems' strategic development of India as a home market, and the benefit of solid Government support."

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