Friday, April 22 2005 19:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Britain today (Apr 22, 2005) said the supply of the British Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer, which are equipped with components of Denel, to India will not be affected due to the current controversy involving the South African Defence firm.

"No it won't affect the Hawk programme. The Hawks are being made as we speak," British High Commissioner to India Sir Michael Arthur told reporters in Bangalore.

He said a similar controversy had erupted three years ago, but was cleared. "You should ask the British Aerospace (the makers of Hawk AJT)".

Denel is surrounded by a controversy over reports of alleged pay-offs by the state-owned South African armament company to obtain an Indian rifles contract.

Arthur said the first 22 Hawk AJT's will be made in Britain, with the remaining 44 aircraft, of the 66 AJT's signed in a $ 1.3 billion deal, to be produced in the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) factory in Bangalore.

He said several Indian Air Force pilots were being trained in the AJTs in the United Kingdom.