Two BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers will fly from the UK to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a two-week, 30-flight evaluation as part of a competition to select a new jet trainer for the UAE Air Force & Air Defence.
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The two Hawks going to the UAE will ultimately be delivered to the UK Ministry of Defence for RAF and Royal Navy training |
The Hawk is competing with Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 and M-311 prototypes and the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50. The winner is expected to be announced later this year.
The UAE is also evaluating the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano and Pilatus PC-21 as second-tier trainers.
The two Hawks going to the UAE will ultimately be delivered to the UK Ministry of Defence for RAF and Royal Navy training. Hawk sales executive Steve Weardon says: "Without the co-operation of the UK customer this evaluation wouldn't take place, and this is an excellent example of the UK government supporting UK industry in pursuit of exports."
Source: Flight International
