Bangalore: British Aerospace Systems (BAE Systems) has completed price negotiations with the Indian government on acquisition of its Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) and is confident of bagging the deal, a UK Ministry of Defence official said.

J L Catchpole, First Secretary (Defence Supply) at the British High Commission in New Delhi, said he believed the decision to award the contract is in final stages.

"We are awaiting the decision," Catchpole told reporters, but declined to specify as to when the price negotiations with the Indian government were completed.

"We are confident of bagging the order. We have the best aircraft (Hawk) in the world…offering cost-effective solutions…most modern aircraft," Catchpole said.

In a 1.2 billion Pound deal, India plans to acquire 66 AJTs – 22 outright and 44 to be manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). British Prime Minister Tony Blair had personally intervened twice to support the BAE Systems offer.

Catchpole declined to comment on reported competition to Hawk by the Czech-American offering of L-159. "We believe Hawk is the only jet trainer in services," he said, adding, 900 such jets had been sold to different countries.

Meanwhile, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement Lord Bach of Lutterworth, would be making an official visit to India from February 4 to 6. He is leading the British official delegation to Aero India 2003, the five-day international aerospace exposition starting on February 5.

Catchpole said Lord Bach – whose position is equivalent to that of India's Minister of State for Defence – would hold discussions on a "wide range of issues" with Defence Minister George Fernandes.

But he maintained that talks pertaining to Hawk deal would not come up during the meeting. This would be Lord Bach's first visit to India as Defence Minister. Incidentally, Lord Buch spent his childhood days in Chennai.

Significantly, chairman of BAE Systems Sir Richard Evans is also flying to India to attend the Aero India 2003, where Hawk AJT will fly during the displays.

Catchpole said over 25 UK defence and aerospace companies – more than 200 representatives – would participate in the mega event and they would be looking for partnerships and collaborations with Indian firms.

In addition, he said, there would be 30 to 40 government delegations – from government, Royal Air Force and defence industry.

UK companies that would take part in Aero India include BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Honeywell Aerospace, GKN Aerospace Services-FPT and Augustawestland, besides Defence Export Services Organisation, which provides government assistance to both British industry and its overseas customers.

PTI