Tuesday, February 8 2005 13:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: British aircraft maker BAe Systems will deliver the first "made for India" Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) to the Indian Air Force before the next Aero India air show in February 2007, officials said today (Feb 8, 2005).

"The first hawk will be flown by IAF by end 2006 and is expected to be accepted by India in early 2007 and we hope to bring it in the next air show," BAe Systems Senior Military Adviser Air Chief Marshal Sir John Day told reporters in Bangalore last night.

He said about seven Hawk aircraft were being built on the assembly line in BAe Systems unit at Brough, East Yorkshire in the UK.

India inked a $ 1.45 billion deal in March 2004 after negotiations for 18 years to acquire 66 Hawk 132 AJT's, of which BAe Systems would produce 22 aircraft while India's public sector aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will build the remaining 44 aircraft at its Bangalore unit.

BAe Systems India Executive Vice President Mike Armstrong said the British aerospace firm is currently training 20 IAF pilots in the UK of the total number of 70 pilots to be trained on the Hawk AJT.

"The Indian Government is very content with the agreement," he said when asked about concern by India over guarantee of supply of US components in the aircraft.

BAe officials said about 195 Hawks with advanced cockpit and avionics were in use in 10 countries and the company had an order book for 110 Hawks to be delivered in future.