Indian MoD fines BAE Systems for defective Hawk trainer parts

The Indian MOD has fined BAE Systems for supplying defective components for the Hawk AJT aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The defective components caused delays in supply of the aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the IAF, Defence Minister A K Antony told Indian parliament. "In view of the delay in delivery of Hawk by HAL due to the receipt of defective components, jigs and fixtures from the foreign manufacturer, on whom liquidated damages have been levied, the original training plan by Hawk AJT for 2010-11 has been modified," he said. Due to this delay, pilots of IAF are being trained on the MiG 21 aircraft. In 2004, a contract was signed with the UK for supplying 66 Hawks of which 24 were to be manufactured in Britain and rest were to be license-produced at HAL facilities in the country. BAE Systems supplies the components of the aircraft to the HAL in complete or semi knocked down kits and they are assembled by the Indian aircraft manufacturer at its lines in Bangalore. Recently, India signed an agreement with BAE Systems for procuring another 57 aircraft of which 40 will be for IAF and the rest will go to the Navy. Antony said HAL has supplied only 10 of the 42 Hawks to be supplied by it and two more were in the process of being accepted by the IAF. "Delivery of all 42 aircraft is likely to be completed by 2012," he added. On the additional 40 Hawks to be inducted by the IAF, the Defence Minister said, "Contract in this regard was signed on July 23 this year and delivery is expected to commence by 2013."