Nigeria, Philippines, Argentina, Egypt Interested to Buy Tejas, Says HAL Chief

New Delhi: Countries like Nigeria, Philippines, Argentina and Egypt are interested to procure India’s indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, said CB Ananthakrishnan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

Speaking to the PTI on Wednesday, CB Ananthakrishnan said talks are on with these countries for it.

But there is a stumbling block in the path of supply of Tejas fighter jets Argentina. After the 1982 Falklands War, the UK imposed an embargo on military sales to Argentina especially the supply of hardware manufactured by it. Tejas has components sourced from UK.

Regarding this, the HAL chief said a way would be found out in such a scenario.

The HAL had signed an agreement with the Argentinian Air Force to provide spares and services to its two-tonne class helicopters. During past few years, the defence ties between India and the Philippines have enhanced. In January, the Philippines concluded a $375 million deal with India for the procurement of three batteries for the BrahMos cruise missile.

The Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft designed to undertake the air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already inducted nearly 40 Tejas of initial variants. In February 2021, the defence ministry made Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF.