The first Indian Air Force (IAF) technicians to be trained by BAE Systems in Hawk advanced jet trainer maintenance have arrived at the company’s Warton site in northwest England.
Over the next few months, the IAF technicians will visit the UK to get an understanding of how to maintain the aircraft as they prepare to receive the type in service later this year. The tuition will continue when the engineers return to India, with a further three-month on-the-job programme planned at the IAF’s main base at Bidar.
The current training forms part of the comprehensive ground-based training system that is being provided to the IAF under the deal. As well as the provision of technician training, the system includes synthetic training devices, currently being manufactured by BAE Systems Australia, and a computer-aided learning system being installed in a purpose-built training facility at Bidar by the end of 2007.
The contract for the Indian Air Force Hawk Mk132s comprises the purchase of 66 aircraft, as well as the associated support and interim pilot training.
The initial batch of 24 aircraft is being built at Brough, with the following 42 being manufactured, under license, in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Indian aircraft is based on the Canadian Mk115 and features a weapons capability.
Source: Flight Daily News
