Indian Air Force planning to induct 20 more Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft from the British BAE Systems; India, Maldives to step up cooperation in defence and security
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    • According to reports, the Indian Air Force is planning to induct 20 more Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft from the British BAE Systems for its aerobatic team Surya Kiran which has been grounded since last year. The Surya Kiran team, which was using the Kiran Mk II aircraft, had to be grounded last year due to requirement of its planes for training Air Force cadets. BAE Systems said in a release on September 14, 2012, "BAE Systems has received a Request for Proposal (RFP) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for a potential order to supply products and services for the manufacture of 20 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft. The aircraft, to be built by HAL in Bangalore, will fulfill the Indian Air Force's requirement for its prestigious aerobatic team.” The HAL carries out the license production of the British-origin aircraft for the IAF at its facilities in Bangalore. With this order, the number of Hawks on order by the IAF would be 143. India had first signed a deal for 66 Hawks in 2004 and then about two years back, placed an order for 57 more of which 17 would be used by the Navy for its training purposes. Commenting on the development, BAE MD International Guy Griffiths said, "This is a tremendous opportunity to build on the success of Hawk in India. 1
    In another development, reports noted that India and Maldives on September 16, 2012 agreed on a slew of measures to step up their cooperation in defence and security related issues. They also agreed to work closely towards stability in the region and ensure maritime security in Indian Ocean. At a high level meeting between Defence Minister A K Antony and his Maldivian counterpart, Col (Retd) Mohamed Nazim, in Male, the two sides decided to 'maintain close cooperation in unitedly fighting against challenges of terrorists and non- state actors'. Antony's three day visit to Maldives comes in the backdrop of China renewing its efforts to expand its footprint in the strategically located archipelago. Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim stated, "Maldives will stand side - by- side with India to ensure that maritime security of Indian Ocean is ensured; that the stability in the region is maintained; and above all, that the threats that our two countries face, particularly from terrorist groups and other non-state actors are eliminated." 2

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