Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. said it has signed an MoU with the U.K.’s BAe Systems for upgrading the advanced military trainer aircraft, Hawk Mk132. They will also develop its combat versions for Indian defence forces and export markets.
The MoU also includes maintenance support for Jaguar and Hawk fleet.
Purchased in two orders, there will totally be 106 Hawks with the Air Force and 17 with the Navy. HAL said it had so far licence-produced 67 for the IAF and 11 for the Navy. It can be used in ground attack and for air defence.
A HAL release quoted Chairman and Managing Director T. Suvarna Raju as saying, “It is important that both the teams finalise the scope of Hawk Mk132 upgrades and other work packages at the earliest.” M.N. Shrinath, General Manager (Aircraft), signed the MoU for HAL and Steve Timms, Managing Director (Defence Information, Training and Services) on behalf of BAeS.
