Indian Navy Inducts First Indigenous Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers

The Indian Navy today inducted the first indigenous Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam. 

“We are proud of Indian manufactured products and it is evident from the fact that HAL made aircraft such as Vampire and Kirans are with us for decades”, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral, D. K. Joshi said.  

The Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is a dual seat multi-purpose aircraft powered by a single Rolls Royce Adour Mk.871 engine. The Hawk AJT is primarily used for basic, advanced and weapons training of the pilots. However, the Aircraft has the capabilities to be used as a ground attack aircraft or for air defence.

The Hawk AJT has excellent flying characteristics with good stability, can be flown at night and can perform wide range of aerobatic manoeuvres. The aircraft can remarkably accommodate a wide variety of external stores. The cockpit is arranged in an efficient ergonomic manner in order to provide a lead-in to modern front line aircraft. The cockpit provides an excellent field of view for both pilots. The instructor’s station in the rear cockpit has appropriate override control of vital functions.

The primary flight control systems are provided by means of an all-moving tail plane, aileron and rudder deflections respectively. The secondary flight control systems comprise wing double slotted flaps and an air brake on the underside of the rear fuselage.