New Delhi: India has decided to opt for acquisition of 66 British Aerospace Hawks jet trainers for the Indian Air Force costing about Rs 7,000 crore and the proposed deal had been placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval.

Defence Minister George Fernandes said the CCS is likely to formally approve the deal after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee returns home from his visit to the United States.

"It is going to be Hawks and there are no other contenders for the contract," the minister told reporters on September 6 night, adding price negotiations for the deal had been concluded.

The Indian Air Force would receive the Hawks in batches with the first 25 to be delivered by next year.

Defence Ministry officials said though the trainers would be received in batches, these would all be upgraded versions. They said details of setting up of assembly line for the Hawks were still under discussion.

PTI