The Indian Air Force (IAF) will start taking delivery of 40 advance jet trainers (AJT) from 2013 and all aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2016, Indian Defence Minister AK Antony has said.

“In July 2010, the government signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of additional 57 AJTs. Of these, 40 are for the IAF and 17 for the navy,” Antony said.

“In March 2004, the government signed a contract with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Turbomeca UK for procurement of 24 Hawk AJTs and with HAL, Bengaluru for licence manufacture of another 42 AJT under a transfer of technology (ToT) for IAF,” Antony added.

BAE Systems has delivered all 24 direct supply aircraft, while HAL had delivered 28 of 42 aircraft by July 2011, according to PTI.