Equipped with the Hawk Mk.132, the IAF aerobatics team (which disbanded last year) will be only the second nine-Hawk formation team in the world after the RAF Red Arrows. The erstwhile Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT), will receive a new title — sources say the team may even take on its first name, Thunderbolts, a name it had when it operated the Hawker Hunter.
The BAE statement goes on to say, “Upon successful conclusion, this would be the third contract placed on BAE Systems for supply of materials and equipment for the Hawk Mk132, building upon previous orders of 66 aircraft in 2004, comprising supply of 24 Hawk aircrafts in fly-away condition and 42 aircraft built under license by HAL, and a further 57 aircraft in 2010.”
Guy Griffiths, Group MD, International, said, “This is a tremendous opportunity to build on the success of Hawk in India and demonstrates the progress we are making in capturing significant opportunities to address the defence modernization requirements of the Indian Government. Together with HAL, we look forward to giving the Indian Air Force’s display team a fantastic aircraft.”
Can someone enlighten me as to why the airforce should spend money on creating an aerobatics team ? Cant that dough be spent on something more important
Almost all prestigious and professional air-forces in the world have an aerobatics team.
They are a tremendous way of generating goodwill, awareness of the IAF among the general public as well as inspire youth to consider the IAF and forces as a career.
That is certainly not a wasteful purpose.
The performance of teams like Blue Angels,Red Arrows , our own erstwhile Surya Kirans were eagerly awaited and watched wherever they performed.
Can you elaborate the " Important" things IAF should concentrate on?
It is a matter of pride and a common tradition for having a full fledged aerobatic team in any Air force establishments, as far as Defence forces are concerned they do not have to look into poverty, water or any Geo political issue.
HAL is wasting resources in manufacturing it locally, it could have been used to accelerate tejas production….
DRDO, HAL, ADA, NAL,
We have to start equivalent trainer plane design, develop for our armed forces in India for in future to replace this plane in future.
We have to start this project today itself .
We have to design, developed and manufactured in India such trainer planes.
DRDO, HAL, ADA, NAL,
We have to start equivalent trainer plane design, develop for our armed forces in India for in future to replace this plane in future.
We have to start this project today itself .
We have to design, developed and manufactured in India such trainer planes.
Toothless Hawks(without Radars or IRST ,AAM )just waste of Money..only helps to warm-up pockets of some people.
1.Look at the world, even smaller nations are buying dual use LIFTs (Lead in Fighter Trainers) equipped with Modern Radars and Missiles for Training and also for any future Fighter operations.
2.By looking at IAF combat platforms..almost all current and Future Combat Aircrafts are duel engined, but our Trainer Aircrafts are with Single Engine…what a mature planning by our Indian planners???
Probably now our Indian planners will start planning for a Twin Engined AC (after getting share of Toothless Hawks)..and that too will be invariably purchased from out side..we Indian's are soo happy and interested in buying from abroad only..just trying to think…why ? are we soo rich ?
Previously heard that the aerobatic team would be formed by hjt-36 sitara. Hawk will be a good option.
And why tejas could not be the platform for aerobatic team?
Nothing wrong in ordering the Hawks but IAF should be ordering the MMRCA or more Su30MKI with same speed. WIth economic crisis on horizon the MMRCA may very well be cancelled or curtailed if IAF and Defence minsitry sit on it for another few months..Display aerobatics is good but ultimately we need meaner warplanes..
What is the point buying tooothless Hawaks…if the suryakirans reallywant to upgrade…go step ahead and buy…MiGs-29 and Su-30 for acro batics team …will serve purpose of warmachine as well as acrobatics …utter waste of taxpayers money !!!
Shiv,
You never told us about the BAE-HAL fracas over initial supply of Hawk manufacturing toolings. What exactly happened and why haven't you written about it despite requests?
Regards,
Manne
So our ace acrobatic team will show the world that BRITISH jets are so good that even monkeys can fly them?? For the first time ever, I am hoping the officials are corrupt and not high on drugs to arrive at this decision.
HOW ABOUT ORDERING 20 TEJAS jets and showing the world Indian how good is Indian engineering!!
And every flight will add to the test program.
Despite more modern trainers available from Russia , Itlay and Ex Sovit nations , we went in for Hawk. It means that this trainer was found more suitable than the others for the IAF – and HAL assembles/manufactures the same. Now with LCA becoming 'ram bharose' and the MRCA into eternal negotiations is it not possible to buy acquire about a 100 Hawks in their 100/200 avatars to serve as point defense fighters and for light attack.This shall fill in the Gaaps left by Mig 21's obsolescence , ease the transition to Rafale if we ever get it and leave HAL in peace to experiment with LCA . These can supplement the Mig 29 and Mirage 2000 in their Air Defense roles with modern Radars and AAM's . There is no sarcasm only anguish.
There is no need for anguish since the Air brass are themselves not inclined to take on the pols and the clerks and force a decision. The defense minister is definately an impediment – he speaks of tranparency , delegation , procedures but is not willing to go and buy or force a focused time bound manufacturing program.Like the MRCA , things are deliberately always spoken in future tense , so that accountability can be postponed when nothing happens. As of today , if our LCA is not up to it then why cant the brass force a purchase of 50 or so Gripens/Mig 29M2, etc immediately – The alacrity with which transports are being purchased makes one wonder about the priorities . The enemy is not at the gates but within.
Sorry for the rant but we are hurting.