Argentina, Egypt show interest in Tejas

Apart from these two countries, HAL is pursuing a deal with Malaysia for the supply of 18 Tejas aircraft

Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force performs a manoeuvre on the 2nd day of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023. | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

Argentina and Egypt have evinced interest in Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Speaking to reporters at the ongoing Aero India 2023 on February 14, HAL Chairman & Managing Director C.B. Ananthakrishnan said that the PSU has made proposals for the sale of 15 Tejas aircraft to Argentina and 20 aircraft to Egypt.

Aero India 2023

Visuals from the biennial event in Bengaluru. | Video Credit: K. Murali Kumar & Hemanth C.S.

“Both Argentina and Egypt have shown interest in the Tejas aircraft. Two teams from Argentina have visited us, and they are quite convinced about the product. An air force team from Argentina has flown the aircraft. A contract is likely to be signed soon,” said Mr Ananthakrishnan.

With Egypt, apart from submitting a proposal for 20 Tejas aircraft, there is also discussion on setting up a defence ecosystem in that country.

Setback with Malaysia

Apart from these two countries, HAL is pursuing a deal with Malaysia for the supply of 18 Tejas aircraft against a global tender issued by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence a few years ago.

However, despite being shortlisted, Tejas has suffered a setback as Malaysia is said to be keen on the South Korean aircraft FA-50 Golden Eagle.

“With Malaysia, we are one of the shortlisted companies, and were very sure of taking that contract, but there has been a slight setback. Even though we have not received anything in black and white, what we are hearing is that the Koreans are likely to get the order. Notwithstanding that, we continue to pursue this deal with Malaysia,” Mr. Ananthakrishnan said.

Photos | Aero India 2023

Two B-1B Lancer supersonic heavy bombers of United States Air Force (USAF) arrived at Yelahanka air force station on the second day of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023.

Sarang (peacock), aerobatic team of Indian Air Force, took to the skies on the 2nd day of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023.

Visitors queue up for the inaugural ceremony of Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station - Yelahanka in Bengaluru, India, on February 13, 2023. The airshow runs through February 17.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks past Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia during inauguration of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the audience at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters fly past the audience at the Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Surya Kiran’ get set for a stunt during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Surya Kiran’ put up a show during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Surya Kiran’ put up a show during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

United States Air Force’s 5th-generation fighters F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter make their debut at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

US Ambassador Elizabeth Jones sitting inside the cockpit of the USAF’s fifth-generation fighter F-35A at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Delegates at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) of IAF at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Aero India 2023 at IAF’s air force station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

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In August 2022, HAL had set up an office in Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, for tapping new business opportunities for LCA and other requirements of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades.

Mr. Ananthakrishnan said that HAL’s finances are in good health with an order book of ₹84,000 crore, and an additional ₹50,000 crore plus orders in the pipeline.