Bangalore, Jul 28: Giving a boost to Indo-British defence ties, India today inked a 700 million pound (Rs 9,500 crore)-deal for purchase of an additional 57 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer Aircraft from British Aerospace Systems (BAE).
This is the second tranche of the purchase by India since 2004 when it had finalised a deal to buy 66 HAWKs.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by visting British Prime Minister David Cameron, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Chairman and Managing Director Ashok Nayak and Karnataka Minister for Home V S Acharya.
Of the 57 Hawks to be manufactured at HAL's facility, 40 would be inducted into IAF and 17 into the Navy, BAE System Managing Director & Chief Executive (India) Andrew Gallagher told reporters.
This is the first time that the Indian Navy is getting HAWKs, he said.