India offers Malaysia to Supply 18 Tejas Jet

Delhi, 6 August 2022 (TDI): The defense ministry of India on Friday announced that India has offered to supply Malaysia with 18 “Tejas” light combat aircraft.

In a boost to PM @narendramodi
Ji’s vision of becoming an exporter of defence products, India offers to sell 18 Tejas aircrafts to Malaysia, while other countries like Australia, Argentina and US have also shown interest in this LCA being built by HAL.https://t.co/gCcxznCelO

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) August 6, 2022

The Minister of State for Defense of India, Ajay Bhatt also adds that the single-engine jet attracted interest from other countries. These countries are Argentina, Australia, Egypt, the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

According to the press release by the government of India, when the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Malaysia, issued an RFI in February 2019 for LCA class aircraft, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a Defense PSU under the Ministry of Defence, responded.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited subsequently responded to the Request for Proposal (RFP) submitted in response to the tender launched by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysia, for 18 fighter lead-in trainer-light combat aircraft (FLIT-LCA). HAL provided the LCA Tejas dual-seater type.

Prime Minister of India on Foreign Defense Technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has also explored diplomatic efforts to export the jets. This effort will minimize India’s reliance on foreign defense technology. The Tejas has faced numerous design and other difficulties and was previously deemed too hefty by the Indian Navy.

“Other countries which have evinced interest in the LCA aircraft are: Argentina, Australia, Egypt, USA, Indonesia, and the Philippines,” India’s junior defense minister, Ajay Bhatt, told members of parliament in a written reply.

He said the nation was also engaged in producing a stealth fighter plane. Further, he adds that India did not provide a date due to national security considerations.

Britain announced in April that it would support India’s initiative to manufacture its fighter fighters. India now has a variety of fighter jets from France, Britain, and Russia.

“Tejas” Light Combat Aircraft

The first fighter jet built entirely in India is called Tejas. It was given the go-ahead to enter service with the Indian Air Force in February 2019. It is a fully-armed fighter jet.