Article Posted on : - Feb 15, 2011

The Hawk AJT of Indian Air Force.

BANGALORE (BNS): US aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aviation has inked a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under which the latter will undertake at its facilities repair and overhauling of various avionics and other components of the Hawk Mk132 trainer aircraft acquired for the Indian Air Force.

The 30-year contract enables HAL to conduct repair and overhaul of GE-made avionics, instruments and hydraulic products for the advanced jet trainers at two of its facilities in India.

While HAL’s Bangalore facility will be used for repair and overhaul of hydraulics and instruments, the Korwa facility will be certified for avionics, GE said in a statement.

As part of the license agreement, GE will develop, supply and commission the test equipment and supply technical data. The agreement also includes training, technical support, post design services for one year, and spares services, the company said.

India had inked a deal with British defence major BAE Systems in July 2010 to procure 57 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft 40 of which will be inducted in the IAF. All the aircraft will be manufactured at HAL’s facilities in Bangalore as per the agreement.

"HAL has more than 70 years of providing high quality manufacturing, research and development, and repair and overhaul services in India," said Nalin Jain, country director for GE Aviation.

"Adding overhaul for avionics, instruments and hydraulic products is the perfect expansion of HAL's capabilities," he said.