Stewart Penney/LONDON
Bahrain is seeking British Aerospace's assistance to set up a national flying training academy based around the company's Hawk advanced trainer. The Gulf state conducts its training overseas, but wants its own capability to instruct pilots from ab initio through to lead-in fighter training for its Lockheed Martin F-16s.
BAe head of Hawk marketing Andy Wilson says the company proposes a phased approach, with basic training initially remaining offshore while Hawks are acquired and an advanced training capability established.
Turboprop basic trainers would be procured during a second phase. Wilson says that discussions are at an early stage and neither timescale nor aircraft numbers have been decided. BAe has a link with Pilatus and supplied its PC-9 as part of a training package with the Hawk to Saudi Arabia.
Alternatively, BAe could take advantage of its more recent experience - from the NATO Flying Training in Canada programme - with Raytheon and its PC-9 development, the T-6 Texan II.
Another Gulf Hawk operator, Kuwait, has started to take redelivery of its 12 Hawk Mk64s following refurbishment by the manufacturer. BAe is also training flying instructors for the Hawks. Kuwait virtually ceased flying training and grounded its trainers, including its Shorts Tucano basic trainers, in the mid-1990s because of a shortage of potential pilots.
BAe is also talking to Qatar, which signed a defence co-operation protocol with the UK in 1995. Part of the deal was arms purchases from the UK, including Hawks, warships and personnel carriers.
Meanwhile, BAe sent a team to Brunei at the end of last month to re-open talks on a possible Hawk purchase. Wilson says BAe will discuss ways of moving the deal forward. Brunei selected the Hawk several years ago and announced a commitment to four Hawk 100 twin-seaters and six single-seat Hawk 200 fighters. Financial pressures meant that contract negotiations stalled. A new offer, based on 12 Hawk 100s, is on the table.
• The first Hawk kit for Australian assembly has arrived at RAAF Williamstown. The Royal Australian Air Force ordered 33 Hawk advanced trainers in 1997. The first 12 aircraft will be built in the UK, with the rest being assembled in Australia. The first RAAF Hawk was due to fly last week at BAe's Warton site, with the first Australian constructed aircraft due to fly in mid-2000.
Source: Flight International
