India may order another 40 BAe Hawk trainer jets: report
06 Feb 2008
New Delhi: India may place orders for a further 40 British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk trainer jets for its air force in addition to the 66 already purchased for $1.45 billion in 2004, according to a report, which quotes unnamed Indian Air Force (IAF) officials.
According to the report, the IAF had originally asked for 120 Hawks, while it received a sanction only for 66. It now wants to increase the quantity by another 40.
Apparently, the Indian Navy has separately asked for another 17 BAe Hawk trainers and the report suggests that both proposals, very likely, may be converted into a single contract.
At $ 21.8 million apiece the tender for the air force alone will be worth $872 million.
The report says that the IAF proposal is now with the defence ministry, which is awaiting clearance from the cabinet committee on security affairs.
