Argentina and Egypt are interested in buying Tejas-type multi-role aircraft from India. Egypt expresses a desire for 15 such machines, Argentina for 20 machines, says the head of the Indian state corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited CC Ananthakrishnan, according to the results of the Aero India 2023 exhibition.
A team from the Argentine Air Force is currently in the country to learn more about the Tejas, and a contract is likely “in the near future.” Before signing a contract, Egypt would like to ensure that Tejas will be maintained within the capabilities of its own military sector. Using the Indian newspaper The Hindu, the Polish news outlet Defense24 discusses this issue.
Defence24’s writers highlight how India actively markets the Tejas to the international market as a substitute for the Soviet or Russian MiG-29.
It’s important to remember that before the possibility of purchasing Indian combat aircraft appeared, Argentina had already decided against purchasing Russian MiG-35s for a number of reasons.
And here, in principle, the very trend that is trying to “bite off” the share of the Russian Federation in the world arms market is trying to “bite off” the country, which until now was considered a “traditional” buyer of Russian weapons, and maintains certain segments of cooperation with Moscow, such as the purchase of the S-400 or the licensed production of AK -203.
But further, for the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the prospects of the Indian Tejas look “foggy” so far. If only because the Indian Air Force, which makes these planes, won’t start getting the first batch of them until 2024, and it’s not clear how far back the export deliveries have been pushed.
According to Defense24, the Indian Tejas is also compatible with some types of aircraft weaponry manufactured in Russia.
Specifically, we’re referring to the R-73 air-to-air missile, the Kh-35 and Kh-59 surface-to-air missiles, and the GSH-23 aviation cannon. Yet it appears that this is not the most crucial aspect that will determine the rate of Indian Tejas exports.
LCA TEJAS
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter plane made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It was made by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) (HAL). The GE F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine gives the Tejas a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet.
Regarding weapons, the Tejas can carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as bombs and rockets. It also has a state-of-the-art avionics suite with a multi-mode radar, an electronic warfare suite, and an advanced glass cockpit display.
With its delta-shaped wings and fly-by-wire control system, the Tejas is very easy to turn. It can fly for up to three hours without refueling and has a range of 1,200 km (746 miles). The Tejas has been put into service with the Indian Air Force and is a key part of India’s defense plan.
The LCA Tejas is a single-engine fighter plane that can do many things. It was made in India. It has a GE F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine lets it go as fast as Mach 1.8 and reach a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. The Tejas can carry bombs, rockets, and different types of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
It has a state-of-the-art avionics suite with a multi-mode radar, an electronic warfare suite, and an advanced glass cockpit display. The Tejas is very maneuverable because it has delta wings and a fly-by-wire control system. It can fly for up to three hours without refueling and has a range of 1,200 km.
