The IAF received its first Indian-built Hawk MK132 advanced jet trainer yesterday. It also conducted its first “official” (read public) flight in Bangalore. The flight, piloted by Sqn Ldr (Retd) Baldev Singh, Executive Director and Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) at HAL, lasted for 15 minutes.
Any update on the IJT Fiasco?? what happened to those delayed russian engines?
can we put some teeth into them ..like for straffing enemy formation or air-2-air engagement..or can this only serve as a stepping stone trainer..we really lack some teeth in the airforce..by looks of depletion of squadron strengths.
Not possible…they are meant for a specific purpose
baldev singh the same pilot who forgot to close the canopy and caused IJT mess at aero india last time?
yes! [email protected]. After the incident, he got a promotion also as Executive director/ chief test pilot! That IJT has been repaired and is reusable. Singh sahab is a man with lot of guts!
the hawk can easily be used for tactical interdiction ops. in fact, it will be part of iaf orbat for air ops in case of conflict.
IAF has asked for the Hawk to be capable of carrying some "specific A2A & A2G" (NATO) munitions and that is what they are getting.
This is as per BAe people at AI07.
So the Hawk has some decent combat capability built into it; and when the need arises IAF will likely use it.