Numerous countries need advanced trainers/light attack aircraft. Argentina has long-stated requirements and an indigenous aircraft - the Lockheed Martin Argentina Pampa - to fulfil its need. Its problem is funding, although 12 more aircraft were ordered last June.
Bahrain, Brunei and Qatar have all chosen the Hawk during competitions but not concluded deals. Brunei is understood to have returned to the negotiating table with a revised requirement for an all Hawk 100 fleet, rather than a mix of 100s and Hawk 200 single-seaters. Bahrain signed a wide-ranging deal with BAE last July, which is believed to include an air academy based on the Hawk. Present customers in the Gulf, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, could return for more orders. The UAE was expected to order further Hawk 100s, but then announced its intent to acquire ex-German air force Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets. Whether these aircraft will be delivered is unclear.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Egypt and Israel require advanced trainers. Egypt is considering the L-159 and Hawk to replace its 38 Alpha Jets and nearly 50 Aero L-59s. Israel is expected to use US funds to finance a trainer purchase, suggesting that the Boeing T-45 Goshawk (a navalised development of the Hawk) will be selected, although any choice is likely to come after the selection of a turboprop basic trainer.
In Europe, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia and Spain have requirements. Poland has indigenous aircraft - the PZL Iryda - but development ran into problems and the programme has stalled. Any trainer acquisition is likely to come after the country's long-running supersonic fighter need is fulfilled. Slovakia's requirement is for trainers and light attack aircraft. A request for proposals is expected this year for four batches of 12 single- and two-seat aircraft. Greece has long had a trainer requirement to replace elderly Rockwell T-2 Buckeyes. A competition is expected once Greece has received the majority of its Raytheon/Pilatus PC-9MkIIs and has finalised a contract for up to 90 Eurofighters. Ireland has a need for trainers and light strike aircraft following the retirement of Fouga Magisters in 1999, while Spain's Casa C101 Aviojets nominally have a 2003 retirement date.
In the past year India has made significant steps towards fulfilling its 25-year-old advanced jet trainer requirement. The Hawk has been selected and a contract for 66 aircraft was expected in the first quarter of this year, although the recent earthquake in the north west of the country is likely to have delayed this.
In Latin America, Chile, Colombia and Mexico have requirements, but no funding. Venezuela, which ordered MB339s and AMX-Ts last year, is expected to order further examples of both.
Source: Flight International
