Bengaluru: India is in advanced talks with both Argentina and Egypt for the sale of at least 35 Tejas MK-1A indigenous fighter aircraft besides the sale of six advanced light helicopters to the Philippines. The deal with Egypt will also include setting up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility there.
Malaysia, which is looking to buy 36 light combat aircraft (LCA), is also considering the Tejas, but the South Korean FA-50, manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries, appears to have the edge.
“We have good leads for LCA. In Malaysia, we are one of the shortlisted ones. We were hopeful as there was a bit of a setback. We haven’t been told anything yet but we are hearing that the order has been given to the Koreans. There is a possibility of meeting. Despite this, we are still trying.
Besides the Tejas and FA-50, other LCAs include the Sino-Pakistani JF-17, the M-346 from Italy’s Leonardo and the Russian Yak-130. Sources in the defense establishment said Tejas was the frontrunner as it comes with the most advanced features.
Giving details of other export deals, Ananthakrishnan said Argentina has shown keen interest in Tejas and its pilots had even traveled to India to test the aircraft. Incidentally, Argentine Air Force Chief Brigadier Javier Isaac is participating in Aero India and interacting with top Indian Air Force (IAF) officers and HAL officials.
The HAL chairman said that Argentina wanted to acquire at least 15 aircraft.
Egypt, on the other hand, is keen to acquire 20 Tejas in a deal that would also include setting up an MRO facility there to aid the local defense ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Ananthakrishnan said HAL is also in talks with the Philippines for the sale of six indigenous advanced light helicopters. the philippines is already signed a contract With India for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
When asked when will the Indian Air Force start receiving the 83 LCA Mk-1A – for which the contract was signed Put signature on During the last Aero India in 2021 – HAL chief said that as per the terms of the contract the first aircraft would be delivered in February 2024. He said the contract mentions 16 aircraft per year and HAL is trying to deliver faster than this to ensure that it can execute additional potential orders for this and Tejas Mk2.
(Editing by Amritansh Arora)