2023-12-09 09:28:51
India’s Tejas aircraft attracts interest from Nigeria, Philippines, Argentina, and Egypt
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revealed that countries like Nigeria, Philippines, Argentina, and Egypt have expressed their interest in purchasing India’s indigenously developed Tejas aircraft. CB Ananthakrishnan, Chairman, and Managing Director of HAL, confirmed the news.
The Tejas aircraft has garnered attention amid fierce competition from other global players such as China’s JF-17 jet, South Korea’s FA-50, Russia’s MiG-35, and Yak-130.
The Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter known for its capability to operate in high-risk environments. It is designed for air defense, maritime surveillance, and attack. The Tejas Mark 1A jet is equipped with a superior engine, radar system, and electronic warfare suite compared to China’s JF-17 combat aircraft. Additionally, it is equipped with visual range missiles and an air-to-air refueling system.
India has been actively increasing its domestic defense production, with the government taking various measures to achieve this goal. In FY 2022-23, India’s defense exports hit an all-time high of Rs 15,920 crore. The country aims to achieve a turnover of Rs 1.75 lakh crore (US$ 25 billion) in defense manufacturing.
In February 2021, the Ministry of Defense signed a Rs 48,000 crore contract with HAL to procure 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the Indian Air Force, and last month, the ministry gave preliminary approval to purchase an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets for the Air Force.
The interest from these countries is a significant development for India’s defense manufacturing sector, showcasing the growing global recognition and demand for the Tejas aircraft. This also aligns with India’s efforts to boost its defense exports and solidify its position as a key player in the global defense market.
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