Northop's advanced Hawkeye-2D maritime reconnaissance plane on offer to India: report

17 December 2007

New Delhi/Washington: After receiving a cold shoulder from the Indian Navy for Northrop Grumman's Hawkeye 2C aircraft, the US administration has apparently cleared the sale of its most advanced maritime reconnaissance plane, the Hawkeye-2D, to India.

According to a report in the forthcoming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, the Indian Navy had issued an RFI (Request for Information) for the aircraft to the US government some time back.

Although Washington is yet to release this aircraft for export 'it could be sold to countries like India, Egypt, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)', the report added.

The aircraft is still under development and Northrop Grumman is confident that the aircraft would achieve initial operational capability in 2011. Its first test flight was conducted only in August.

It may be kept in mind that the Indian Navy is also evaluating an offering from Boeing and Airbus as well, and has tested equivalent versions of their aircraft.

Hawkeye-2D
The advanced Hawkeye-2D looks like the existing Hawkeye-2C but will be much different and better with improved performance.