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IAF pilots being trained in U.K.

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 13. The training of the first batch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots on the HAWK Advance Jet Trainers (AJTs) has commenced in the United Kingdom.

Disclosing this to mediapersons at the Shanghumughom airbase here after seeing off the IAF personnel participating in the "Golden Eagle 2004" multi-national exercise organised in South Africa, the Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal M. McMohan, said the IAF had already sent the pilots to the U.K. six weeks ago for training.

The Vice-Chief of the Air Staff said that although an agreement has been signed between the Government of India and the United Kingdom for acquiring AJTs, it would take another three years for them to arrive.

The training to the IAF pilots in the U.K. will continue till such time the advanced jet trainers are inducted into the IAF. "It is the best solution to beat the time gap," he said in reply to a query.

As per the defence deal signed between India and the U.K. for acquiring 66 Hawks in March this year, as many as 24 AJTs will be manufactured in Britain and the remaining in India.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the British Aerospace system and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) for manufacturing the 42 Hawks in the country.

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