BAE SYSTEMS welcomes India Hawk deal

This is the third selection of Hawk this year, and follows decisions by the Bahrain and UK governments to purchase the aircraft.

Commenting on the news Simon Keith, BAE SYSTEMS Middle East Managing Director said: 'This decision reinforces Hawk's position as the best selling advanced jet trainer. There are over 800 Hawk aircraft currently in service worldwide, demonstrating its status as one of the UK's finest exports.

'Future sales prospects for Hawk in Arab markets are extremely bright and I hope this decision will encourage other potential customers to place their orders.'

The Indian Air Force has agreed an order for 66 Hawk aircraft. The deal comes just seven weeks after the UK government announced an order for 20 Hawk Mk 128 aircraft, with an option for up to a further 24, going into service from 2008 as replacements for some of the British Royal Air Force's current Hawk TMK1s.

Earlier this year BAE SYSTEMS announced it was partnering with the Bahrain Defence Force to establish an indigenous Flying Training Academy in the Kingdom.

The contract forms the final part of a four-phase approach to flying training, comprising pilot selection, basic flying training in Slingsby Firefly aircraft, synthetics and simulation, ultimately leading to Hawk Jet advanced flying training.