Reinforcing BAE Systems’ strong relationship with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and aircraft manufacturer the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the company has recently secured a £59 million contract for the provision of spares and ground support equipment to aid the Hawk training aircraft operations.

This brings the total value of Hawk-related contracts won in India to more than £600 million in the last 18 months. Hawk is manufactured in India under licence by HAL with materials, parts and support services provided by BAE Systems.

Guy Griffiths, BAE Systems’ Group Managing Director, International, said, “The Indian Air Force has one of the largest fleets of Hawks anywhere in the world, and this contract is vital to ensure the continued availability of the fleet. This new order strengthens the robust production platform established by our partner HAL for the aircraft, which remains the benchmark advanced jet trainer in service today.”

Underlining BAE Systems’ growing presence in India, Defence Land Systems India (DLSI), the company’s joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra, has begun delivery of a small, but strategically important, order from the police in the Eastern state of Jharkhand for the company’s mine protected vehicle.