The first two BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainers set off for their new home at Bidar air force base in India on 8 November.
The two jets are the first of 66 Hawk aircraft to be delivered to the Indian air force as of part of a training package for fast jet pilots.
The training programme includes the delivery of 24 BAE Systems-built aircraft and 42 aircraft manufactured under licence in India by Bangalore's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).
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A senior Indian Air Force official says: "The Hawk aircraft, with a proven design and advanced avionics, will bridge the gap between the performance spectrum of the intermediate trainer and front line fighter aircraft which trainee pilots will finally fly in operational squadrons.
"As a dedicated trainer, the aircraft will greatly enhance flight safety and have a beneficial impact on the quality of training being imparted to fighter pilots."
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Mark Parkinson, managing director training solutions at BAE Systems, says: "We have completed conversion training of experienced IAF flying instructors to become instructor pilots on the Indian Hawk – these instructors are returning to India to train the Indian Air Force's next generation of frontline pilots."
The two IAF Hawks will arrive in India after a number of days and refuelling stops. The process of ferrying the aircraft will continue over the coming months until all UK-built aircraft are delivered.
The contract for the Indian Hawk programme was signed in March 2004.
Many of the Hawks supplied to the IAF have also been used to train around 100 IAF engineering officers and technicians in BAE Systems' Technical Training Academy at Warton who will support the aircraft when it enters service.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
