India’s quest to emerge as a net exporter of arms will depend on its ability to sell the ‘Tejas’ aircraft to friendly foreign nations. But that ambition must wait at least a decade or more as the Light Combat Aircraft’s manufacturer is busy supplying these fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and developing the Mk2 variant, the final product.
Already, several nations have begun showing interest in the Tejas LCA. India is also keen on showcasing the aircraft abroad at air shows and even bidding for some contracts to gain experience competing against other aircraft in tenders on foreign shores.
Nigeria is the latest to have expressed its interest in the LCA as part of a US$1-billion deal it seeks with India to enable the development of the former’s military-industrial complex. But the details of Nigerian interest in LCA — whether to buy it for its armed forces or seek industrial cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — are not yet precise.
In July this year, when Argentinian Defense Minister Jorge Taiana was on an official visit to India, kite flying happened over Argentina trying to clinch a deal with India for buying the Tejas aircraft for its air force. As several Indian media platforms carried the news of Argentinian interest in buying LCA, it did surprise the manufacturer.
An HAL official told EurAsian Times, on condition of anonymity, that right from the beginning, it was clear to the manufacturer that the Argentinians were interested in buying the helicopters that India had built indigenously, especially the Light Utility Helicopters and the Medium Utility Helicopters.
HAL also hosted Jorge Taiana in Bengaluru, where its headquarters is situated, for two days during that July visit of the Argentinian defense minister to India, who had a day earlier met with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in Delhi.
In Bengaluru, Tainana and HAL Chairman and Managing Director CB Ananthakrishnan signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on “productive cooperation and acquisition of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters” for the armed forces of the Argentine Republic.
18/09/2023 NC Bipindra/EurAsianTimes
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