Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) on Thursday presented the first indigenously built Hawk Mk- 132 advanced jet trainer (AJT) to the Indian Air Force.

 

Designed by British BAE systems, it is a transonic tandem seat aircraft that can be used in a ground attack role and is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Adour Mk 871 turbo fan engine.

 

Before the formal handing over of AJT to IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major there was a 10-minute flight demonstration by HAL test pilot Sqn. Ldr. (retd) Baldev Singh . "The HAL-built Hawk induction into our training course at Bidar air force base (in north Karnataka) will enable our pilots make the transition from sub-sonic to supersonic aircraft for operational and combat purposes," Major said.  

 

The Hawk can be used to provide basic, advanced and weapons training. In its operational role, it can be used as a ground attack fighter as it is capable of carrying and delivering munitions.

 

As an AJT, the HAL-built Hawk comes with an integrated navigation or attack system comprising many sub-systems inter-connected through a digital multiplex data bus. It provides the flight, navigation and weapon-aiming information displayed on the head-up-display and the head-down multi-functional display