India and the United Kingdom have reportedly teamed up to develop a dual role version of the Hawk trainer aircraft to be offered to its neighboring nations.

A move to counter China's increasing presence in the defense market, according to Economic Times. The Advanced Hawk, which is scheduled to be launched later this month, has been in the works for two years by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and BAE. It is currently assembled in Bengaluru for the AeroIndia 2017 show between Feb. 12 and 18.

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So far, a few countries have reportedly shown interest for the Advanced Hawk. "We have had a good interest for the aircraft. There have been a few visits by our neighboring air chiefs who have shown interest," T Suvarna Raju, HAL chairperson, told Economic Times.

BAE, on the other hand, thinks that the Advanced Hawk will be a hot pick on the market, estimating that there is a requirement of more than such 300 trainers worldwide that will be targeted with the new product. BAE manufactures the aircraft and exports it across the world.

The Hawk boasts of several new features including a new wing design that offers more agility, extra power boost, and ability to carry out several conventional and precision weapons for operational role. It is also being marketed as a force multiplier as it could carry a laser designation pod and a range of weapons with a payload of 3,000 kilograms mounted on seven stations.

Economic Times reported that the broad plan is to offer equal partnership between HAL and BAE, and a commercial case is to be drawn yet. For now, both companies contributed internal resources to produce the two prototypes of the Advanced Hawk.

TagsIndia, UK, china, Advanced Hawk, Hindustan Aeronautics, BAE, AeroIndia