HAL has absorbed "HAWK" AJT technology completely: HAL Chairman

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has absorbed the technology of British Advanced Jet Trainer "Hawk" completely and would be able to support the project for the next 40 years, HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju has said.

He said this as HAL handed over the 75th Hawk aircraft to Indian Air Force at a function at the HAL Pavilion at the ongoing "Aero India 2015" airshow at Yelahanka air base on the outskirts of the city.

The aircraft is being produced at HAL under licence from BAeS, UK. The first aircraft was handed over to IAF in August 2008.

"Hawk has been of great service to IAF and has flown over 70,000 hrs," HAL in a release quoting Air Marshal Ramesh Rai, AOC-in-C (Air officer commanding in chief), Training Command, as having said at the handing over ceremony yesterday.

Hawk 132 is an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) with tandem dual seats meant to provide basic, advanced flying and weapons training, HAL said.

The aircraft has the capabilities to be used as a ground attack aircraft or for air defence, it said, adding that the Hawk has excellent flying characteristics with good stability and can be flown at night in addition to performing a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers.

Production programme of 42 Hawks to IAF was concluded in 2011-12. Further, the second contract was signed between IAF and HAL on July 23, 2010 for supply of 40 Hawk AJT and associated equipment.

HAL has so far produced 21 aircraft and would be producing all the 40 aircraft by 2016-17.

A contract was signed between the Indian Navy and HAL on July 23, 2010 for supply of 17 Hawk AJT and associated Equipment. HAL has so far produced 10 aircraft and would be producing all the 17 aircraft by 2016-17.