The Indian Navy is working on plans to acquire 17 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) of British company BAE systems which will be manufactured under licence by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), even as the Army is likely to acquire DRDO-developed Akash surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to shore up its air defence wing.
Sources said the Navy — which is acquiring more of the advanced MiG-29 K naval fighter aircraft from Russia — is interested in acquiring the AJT Hawks to train more of its pilots to fly state-of-the-art fighter aircraft like the MiG 29 K aircraft that it is acquiring. According to defence sources, “Training on the Hawk AJTs is expected to expose budding fighter pilots to modern fighter aircraft systems and ensure that they have all the requisite skills to fly a modern multi-role fighter aircraft.”
Two years ago, the MoD had signed a contract for the procurement of 66 Hawk AJT aircraft for the Indian Air Force out of which 42 were to be manufactured by HAL after technology transfer from BAE Systems.
The Hawk AJT is equipped with a state-of-the-art avionics suite and navigation/attack system, a modern glass cockpit and HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) controls.
Meanwhile, the DRDO sources told this newspaper that the Army is also likely to acquire the DRDO-developed Akash surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for its air defence wing and that talks are already on between the Army and the DRDO. The Akash supersonic SAMs have a range of 25 km are capable of carrying 55 kg warheads. The Army is seeking to modernise its ageing air defence arsenal. The IAF has already placed orders for Akash SAMs.