British ‘Hawk’ aircraft is emerging as a clear front-runner for the advanced jet trainer mega deal as its contender, Czech-American manufacturer of L-159B aircraft, has not been able to secure guarantees from Washington that it will not disrupt transfer of technology in the eventuality of sanctions on India. The IAF has plans to buy 66 AJTs and the deal is worth Rs 3,600 crore.Defence Minister George Fernandes said he had met British Defence Secretary Geoffery Hoon in London last week and raised the Hawk issue with him. Fernandes, who stopped over in Britain after his official visit to Russia, said that he gave no assurances to Hoon but told him that the final decision will be taken only in New Delhi. But he was not the only one to visit London.IAF’s Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Plans) Air Marshal Raghu Rajan, who was part of Fernandes’ official delegation to Russia, also stopped over in London. The Deputy Chief looks after procurement.It is understood that the Defence Ministry submitted the note favouring ‘Hawk’ for the AJT deal to the Cabinet Committee on Security last year. However, the government decided to consider the Czech aircraft as it is more technologically advanced and cheaper than the Hawk. The L-159B aircraft is manufactured by Aero Vodochy in collaboration with American Boeing company that has 25-per cent equity in the Czech company. In October, 2002, Czech Industries and Trade Minister Jiri Rusnok travelled to India and met External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, Air Chief S. Krishnaswamy and Defence Secretary Subir Datta to ensure that L-159B was still in the race. However, New Delhi made it clear to Prague that it will have to get a letter from Boeing stating clearly that US will not disrupt the transfer of technology in the event of Washington deciding to impose sanctions on India. But the chances of the Czech procuring such a letter appear remote as the Americans have clearly told India that the executive cannot give any guarantees on behalf of their legislature.Jiri Rusnok, accompanied by Czech Defence Minister Jaroslav Trvdik, is again coming on a four-day trip to India in February ostensibly to attend the Aero India exhibition in Bangalore. The Czech aircraft will be on display at the exhibition from February 5-9. It is understood that Prague has already put in a request with the South Block for their Ministers to meet Fernandes.It is learnt that the Americans have also been lobbying with the government to purchase the Czech aircraft but they have no written assurances to give to New Delhi. Apparently, Fernandes told the visiting US Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley last month that India was keen to acquire military hardware from America but was wary of sanctions.
