The first home-made Hawk Mk 132 aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was handed over to the Indian Navy in Bangalore on Monday.
"We built this aircraft in time and this is the first of the five aircraft to be delivered to the Indian Navy. The remaining four will be delivered soon," said HAL Chairman R K Tyagi, who handed over the related documents to Vice Admiral Pradeep K Chatterjee, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.
Tyagi said it is matter of pride that all the training aircraft of the Indian Navy have been supplied by HAL. "We are carrying forward this legacy and will ensure that Navy gets all the support from HAL on all parameters," he added.
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Hawk Mk 132 is the latest entry into HAL-made and maintained aircraft and helicopters of Indian Navy which include Kiran and Do-228 aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, according to a statement of the Bangalore-headquartered defence PSU. In addition, HAL has also supported Navy in upgrade of Sea Harrier. Vice Admiral Chatterjee said the Navy has long standing unique partnership with HAL.
"We will continue to work shoulder to shoulder for all our current and future programmes. Hawk delivered today will have a pride of place in Navy's fleet. Given the fruitful association with HAL, we will even think of reviving past projects," the statement quoted him as saying.
Against the contract for supplying 17 Hawk aircraft, HAL plans to deliver five aircraft in the current fiscal and balance in next three years. The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is a dual seat multi-purpose aircraft powered by a single Rolls Royce Adour Mk.871 engine.
The Hawk AJT is primarily used for basic, advanced and weapons training of the pilots. However, the aircraft has the capabilities to be used as a ground attack aircraft or for air defence.
