Indian Navy Seeks To Acquire BAE Systems Jet Trainers - Report

21st Jun 2010 16:39

MUMBAI (Dow Jones)--The Indian Navy is planning to acquire as many as 17 training aircraft jets from U.K. aerospace and defense firm BAE Systems PLC (BA.LN), Indian newspaper The Asian Age reports Monday. "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 license by India's state-owned aircraft maker--Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., or HAL," the paper reports, quoting unnamed sources. The Indian Navy is in the process of acquiring more of Russia's refitted MiG-29 K naval fighter aircraft and needs the Hawk AJTs to better prepare Indian fighter pilots to operate such new aircraft, the paper reports. Two years ago, India's Ministry of Defence signed a contract for 66 Hawk AJT aircraft for the Indian Air Force, of which 42 were to be manufactured by HAL under a technology transfer from BAE Systems, The Asian Age said. Newspaper website: www.asianage.com -By Mumbai Bureau; Dow Jones Newswires; 91 22 2288 4212; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 21, 2010 11:39 ET (15:39 GMT)