Big breakthrough for HAL as Argentina begins detailed talks to buy Indian helicopters
Giving a boost to indigenous capabilities in defence sector, India’s aerospace conglomerate Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Argentina’s defence ministry on Thursday inked a letter of intent on productive cooperation and acquisition of medium utility helicopters for its armed forces. The letter of intent was signed in Bengaluru by visiting Argentine Defence Minister Jorge Taiana and HAL chief C B Ananthakrishnan in the presence of Francisco Cafiero, Secretary of International Affairs, Ambassador Hugo Javier Gobbi, Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia, and other senior officers from both sides.
The Argentinian Defence Minister remarked that the day was interesting and a step on the road to an ever-growing and strong collaboration with HAL. Its officials briefed the visiting dignitaries on various activities of HAL and a presentation was made on the occasion. During the day-long program, the Argentinian Defence Minister and his team viewed the flying display of various HAL products at HAL Airport. The team also paid a visit to Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Helicopter Divisions and evinced keen interest in HAL products. Argentina has also evinced interest in indigenously designed and manufactured Tejas LCA.
India and Argentina on July 18 reviewed their ties with a special focus on ways to enhance defence industrial partnership during talks in New Delhi between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Jorge Enrique Taiana. Giving details of the talks, defence ministry officials said later both the leaders discussed the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives. Taiana arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a four-day visit to India. He is accompanied by Secretary of International Affairs, Argentine Ministry of Defence Francisco Cafiero.
India-Argentina relations were elevated to the level of Strategic Partnership in 2019. An MoU on defence cooperation too has been in force since 2019 while both sides are engaged to conclude further instruments to deepen the engagement. India and Argentina are working closely together to make defence engagements an important facet of their Strategic Partnership.
India also acknowledged Argentina’s interest in the Made in India Tejas fighter aircraft for the Argentine Air Force. The talks on Tejas featured during External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s two-day official visit to Argentina. During his meeting with Argentina Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero, Jaishankar reviewed the ongoing cooperation in the strategic sectors of Defence, Nuclear Energy, and Space.
Jaishankar and Cafiero jointly presided over a Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between the two countries. “India and Argentina reviewed their ongoing cooperation in the strategic sectors of Defence, Nuclear Energy, and Space and reiterated their commitment to work together for mutual benefit,” the Joint statement said.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the Defence sector within the framework of the MOU on Defence Cooperation signed in 2019. The two sides also explored expanding the scope of their partnership through, inter-alia, and the conclusion of further MOUs/ Agreements.
“EAM, acknowledging Argentine interest in the Made in India TEJAS fighter aircraft for Argentine Air Force, highlighted the importance of the proposal in enhancing the strategic quotient of the bilateral relationship,” the statement added.
Both sides agreed to promote the exchange of visits between the Armed Forces, defence training, and collaboration for joint production of defence-related equipment. The talks on fighter aircraft come as a number of countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have shown interest in the Tejas due to its superior flying ability, maneuverability, and ease of handling.
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- Supreme Court rejects plea to tally all VVPAT slips with EVM votes; says ‘no going back to paper ballot’ - April 26, 2024
- US report citing human rights violations is deeply biased: India - April 25, 2024
- Kotak Mahindra Bank shares tank 13%. Market Cap erodes by Rs.37,721 cr post-RBI action - April 25, 2024
