By Srikanth Srinivasa: Subscribe to Srikanth's RSS feed
July 28, 2010 11:27 AM EDT
British defense group BAE Systems Plc and Rolls-Royce Group Plc on Wednesday signed a contract valued at about 700 million pounds ($1.1 billion) to supply 57 Hawk pilot-trainer aircraft to India’s Air Force and Navy.
The deal was signed with India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in Bangalore, on the sidelines of British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to the tech city of India on Wednesday.
For BAE the order is valued at more than 500 million pounds while it is as much as 200 million pounds for Rolls-Royce, a statement from British Prime Minister’s office said.
“BAE Systems is extremely pleased to have secured this follow-on order for Hawk. It reflects the long-standing successful relationship between BAE Systems and HAL and the importance of solid government support,” BAE Chairman Dick Olver, said in the statement, as one of the 39 leaders who accompanied Cameron to India.
Like us on Facebook
BAE is building a manufacturing presence in India and has 66 Indian orders for the Hawk, which it rates as one of the world’s most advanced jet trainer with more than 900 in service and 18 global customers.
BAE will supply 40 trainer jets to the Air Force and the rest to the Indian Navy. The deal is set to boost British defense firms looking to break into Indian defence market which were hitherto controlled by Russian, U.S and Israeli companies.
The deal for 57 Hawk advanced jet trainers (AJTs) is a follow-up deal after India bought 24 jet trainers from BAE Systems in 2008. India says it needs at least 180 training jets over the next few years.
India's Air Force officials said the advanced jet trainers, fitted with engines made by Rolls-Royce Group Plc, will help Indian pilots fly new generation fighter jets.
In August 2009, India began field trials to buy 126 fighter jets in a $11-billion deal to modernise its Air Force. Lockheed Martin's F-16 is competing with Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, France's Dassault Rafale, Russia's MiG-35, Sweden's Saab JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by a consortium, for securing the deal.
China: Year of the Dragon Will Bring Baby Boom Despite One-Child PolicyIn the Year of the Dragon, China expects a 5 percent increase in births despite the country's strict one-child policy.
Diet Soda: Research Sparks Debate on Risks of Heart Disease, StrokePut down your diet soda and listen up. The bubbly zero calorie drink may increase your risk of heart disease, according to new research.
First Photos of Beyonce’s Baby Blue Ivy Carter Reignite Surrogacy Rumors [PHOTOS]The first photos of Beyonce's baby Blue Ivy Carter were released to the world on Friday by Beyonce and husband Jay-Z. The couple posted five photos one the Tumblr page "Hello Blue Ivy Carter.
Greece in Turmoil as EU Austerity Package Put on HoldGreece’s financial future in doubt after ministers look again at strict terms of European rescue package.
We value your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.
