BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce to sponsor Al Ain International Aerobatic Championship

The two defence giants are partners on many programmes, including the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), which will be the centrepiece of the partnership's presence at the show.

The show will provide attendees with the opportunity to see at first hand the BAE Systems Hawk AJT which is outperforming and outselling all other aircraft in its class.

The Hawk AJT is the latest version of the world's most successful advanced jet trainer, with over 900 aircraft in operation or on order by 19 countries worldwide. At the centre of an integrated training system, the Hawk AJT features the very latest in advanced simulation for radar, weapons and defensive aids training and is producing highly trained pilots for Air Forces across the globe.

The Hawk AJT is powered by the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk951 engine, the very latest in propulsion technology for fast jet training. The Adour Mk951, which incorporates technologies developed on the EJ200 (used in Eurofighter Typhoon) and Trent engines, provides operators with significant cost of ownership savings and improved thrust and engine life. The Adour Mk951 also has a state-of-the-art Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, which improves engine handling and reduces pilot workload.

Steve Wearden, BAE Systems Hawk Sales Executive, said: 'We are delighted to be sponsoring this event with our partners Rolls-Royce. I am sure that the attendees will be thrilled by the aerobatics that will be performed - don't forget the Hawk is flown by the probably the best aerobatic team in the world, the Red Arrows.

'BAE Systems has over 25 years of history with the United Arab Emirates thanks to the sale and continued support we provide for the Hawks in-service with the UAE Air Force; we are extremely proud of this long lasting relationship. I hope everyone who visits the show takes the opportunity to view the latest version of the Hawk, which will be on display and visit our exhibition stand to find out more about the world's most successful advanced jet trainer.'

John Boughton, Director of Sales and Marketing at Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace said: 'We are delighted to be supporting the Al Ain Aerobatic Show. We are proud of our long-term partnership with the United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defence and there are great opportunities for this relationship to flourish in the future.'