By Vivek Raghuvanshi
NEW DELHI — India is negotiating with BAE Systems to purchase 20 additional Hawk Mk-132 jet trainers, according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) release.
Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Indian Parliament on Aug. 7 that a "case for the procurement of 20 additional Hawk Mk-132 aircraft is at Contract Negotiation stage. Formation Aerobatics will be one of the tasks carried out by these aircraft. Simulator is an effective training tool only for certain elements of formation flying. But Simulator cannot be substituted for the actual aircraft for training,” according to the MoD release.
An MoD source said that the deal is likely to be concluded within the next two to three months, as negotiations are proceeding fast.
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