BAE, HAL deliver Hawk trainer to Indian navy

LONDON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- BAE Systems and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have delivered the first of 17 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers to the Indian navy.

The 17 Hawk aircraft for the Indian navy are part of a larger contract signed in 2010 for 40 of the trainers for the navy and air force.

"Adding to the Indian Navy's fleet of aircraft, the Hawk provides the ideal platform for pilots to transition smoothly to the Navy's front-line aircraft," BAE Systems said. "Hawk effectively integrates air- and ground-based elements offering the most efficient and cost-effective method of training pilots."

India is the largest operator of the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer with 123 aircraft ordered to date, of which over 70 have been delivered to the Indian air force, BAE said.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is assembling some of the aircraft in India.

The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is a dual seat multipurpose aircraft powered by a single Rolls Royce Adour Mk.871 engine. It is used for basic, advanced and weapons training of pilots but can also be used for ground attack missions.