Aerospace and defense systems integration enterprise Northrop Grumman has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to source components for its airborne early warning/command and control aircraft - Hawkeye.
"We have signed an agreement with HAL to provide us with wet wings for multi-role Hawkeye aircraft. The new design would help put additional fuel on the aircraft thereby increasing its flying period," Manager International Business Development Northrop Grumman Tom Trudell said in New Delhi on Thursday.
E 2C - Hawkeye provides strategic operational benefits such as air, sea and ground unit integration, command and control centers throughout a theater of operations and its own command and control workstations, he said.
On its supply to Indian Navy, John Beaulieu, Business Development Officer at US Navy said, "We can come back to the Indian Navy with the price list within few weeks once we have the offer. Last time, during 2004, the offer was lying for four months with the Indian Navy but they did not respond."
The company will need some time to come back after a request is made from the buyer because price keep fluctuating depending on the equipments to be fixed on the aircraft, he said, adding that the US-based company is currently developing E 2D Hawkeye aircraft, which would be fielded in a couple of years from now.
"We plan to fly them with US Navy by 2011," he said, adding that upgradation (from E2C to E2D advanced aircraft) is possible and will take around ten months.
About the possible number of Hawkeye aircrafts India would require for surveillance, Beaulieu said, India may require something between six to eight such aircrafts to enhance its aerial surveillance. He further clarified that agreement with HAL is irrespective of the decision made by Indian Navy whether to go for Hawkeye or not.