Big Win for India; Big Boost for HAL
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chairman C B Ananthakrishnan said at the Aero India 2023 air show that two countries, Egypt and Argentina have shown a lot of interest, leading to a possible sale of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to their air forces as the country sharpens its focus on getting a toehold in foreign markets and boosting defence exports. HAL, which Congress said was being sidelined because the Rafael tender was not given to HAL, has bounced back nicely. It is now selling its LCA to foreign countries. “A proud moment,” said a senior HAL official.
Egypt has projected a requirement for 20 aircraft and Argentina needs 15 fighters, said Ananathakrishnan.
“Egypt has also shown interest in creating a local aerospace ecosystem. We will help facilitate that,” Ananthakrishnan said. HAL has offered the LCA Mk-1A variant to the two countries.
Bengaluru Air Show a Success
Prime Minister Narendra Modi counted LCA among the locally built weapon systems that have led to a transformation in the defence sector in the past eight to nine years. HAL, however, may have been edged out by a Korean aircraft maker in a contest to sell new fighter jets to Malaysia, said Ananthakrishnan.
A small win for them but a long journey lies ahead.
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