In a big development, Argentina and Malaysia want to buy the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1A made by the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The top military leaders from both countries have already arrived in Bengaluru for the 14th Aero India 2023.
Sources have told Financial Express Online that a high-level official delegation from Argentina is already in Bengaluru and is set to meet with the highest-level HAL officials. “There is a team from Argentina here, and it is likely that there will be meetings with them. The country in South America is very interested in the homegrown Light Combat Aircraft, a source said.
The HAL LCA Tejas Mk 1A has been in the news for its advanced features and capabilities. It joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2021. The plane is made to be able to do more than one thing, and it has modern technology like advanced electronic warfare suites, multi-mode radars, and air-to-air missiles that can hit targets out of sight.
Sources say that Argentina is likely to order one Squadron, which is made up of 15 single-seaters and three trainers. This would be a big step forward for the HAL LCA Tejas Mk 1A and help it get more known around the world. It will also make it possible for Indian defence companies to sell their products in Latin America and the Caribbean. So far, there has only been one Indian company in the area: MKU Pvt. Ltd., which is based in Kanpur.
Malaysia, on the other hand, is looking into ways to update its old fighter fleet, and the HAL LCA Tejas Mk 1A has caught its eye. During Aero India 2023, the Malaysian delegation is likely to meet with HAL officials to talk about the possibility of buying the plane.
The HAL LCA Tejas Mk 1A was created and made in India, which has been a source of great pride for the country. India’s position as a top exporter and producer of aerospace goods would be strengthened by interest from Argentina and Malaysia.
The possibility that Argentina and Malaysia would buy the HAL LCA Tejas Mk 1A would be a big boost for India’s aerospace industry and a good sign of how well the fighter jet can do its job. The aerospace industry is keeping a close eye on what’s going on, and it’s likely that this will lead to more international orders for the HAL LCA Tejas Mk 1A.