Advanced Hawk, Dual Role Aircraft Developed Jointly By India-UK, On Offer To Friendly Countries

Advanced Hawk, a dual-use aircraft developed jointly by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Britain’s BAE Systems, is on offer to friendly neighbouring countries to counter China’s growing adventurism in the region. The aircraft has been developed from the Hawk jet trainer and can be used as both a combat aircraft and a training machine. It is also expected to damage China’s hold on the market.

The aircraft will be on display at Aero-India 2017 in Bengaluru next week. It has been under development for more than two years and has been designed to meet modern combat requirements. The aircraft is highly maneuverable, if not the most agile, dual-use aircraft. The platform is capable of carrying a range of conventional and precision weapons. It can carry a payload of 3,000 kg.

According to HAL, the aircraft will undertake its first flight in March. It is not as costly as other modern fighter jets and can be easily maintained my small air forces. The aircraft will help friendly countries, which can’t afford to maintain costly fighter jets, to safeguard themselves against China’s assertiveness in the region.

“We have had good interest for the aircraft. There have been a few visits by our neighboring air chiefs who have shown interest,” HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju was quoted by the Economic Times as saying.

The aircraft will be jointly marketed by HAL and BAE systems and the two giants will have an equal partnership. The two expect to receive orders for at least 300 aircraft following the air show in Bengaluru.