BAE Systems wins Indian Hawk jet extension

18th Feb 2015 14:00

BAE Systems has won a five-year deal with an existing Indian state client to provide services for the Hawk trainer jet and begun negotiations on a further Hawk order.The FTSE 100 company said the contract was worth £18.5m and would involve providing Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a comprehensive package comprising of ground support equipment, spares, support and training for BAE's Hawk Mk132 trainer. HAL, which is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company, is looking to establish a dedicated Repair & Overhaul facility for the aircraft in advance of a major servicing milestone anticipated in 2016.BAE said it had also begun contract negotiations with HAL on a potential order to supply products and services for the manufacture of a further 20 Hawk aircraft, to be built by HAL in Bengaluru to fulfil the Indian Air Force's requirement for its aerobatic team.Steve Timms, BAE's managing director of defence information, training and services, said: "This agreement deepens our partnering commitment to HAL and further develops HAL's in-country capabilities that are helping to deliver an enhanced training capability to the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy."India is BAE's biggest Hawk jet trainer customer, with 123 aircraft ordered to date, of which over 90 have been delivered to the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.