The Indian Air Force announced on Saturday that it will display Tejas Mk-1 fighter jets at the next Singapore Air Show, which runs from February 15 to 18. The move is aimed at maximizing the export potential of the domestically produced light combat aircraft (LCA).
The air show will feature three Tejas Mk-1 jets. On Sunday, a 44-member IAF contingent arrived at Changi International Airport in Singapore for the biennial event.
In a statement, the IAF said. Tejas has previously participated in air shows in Malaysia, Dubai, and Bahrain, “IAF will be pitching the indigenous Tejas MK-I aircraft alongside participants from across the world. The Tejas aircraft will be enthralling the audience with its low-level aerobatics and displaying its superior handling characteristics and manoeuvrability.”
The Tejas’s participation in the Singapore air show comes in the backdrop of India taking steps to transform itself from one of the world’s biggest weapons importers into an export powerhouse. The military hardware that holds export potential includes the LCA, Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Akash surface-to-air missile system, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, tanks, sonars, and a variety of radars, officials said.
Last month, India's BrahMos Aerospace and the Philippines struck a deal for over $375 million for the Philippine Marines to buy three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile, a boost for New Delhi's efforts to become a major defence hardware exporter.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the sale of Akash missile systems to friendly foreign countries in December 2020 and established a high-powered body to expedite the clearance of military hardware exports. India has set a goal to reach $5 billion in defense exports by 2024.
The military minister, the external affairs minister and the national security advisor are all members of the committee to speed up exports. During international and local defense displays, several foreign governments expressed interest in the Akash missile system. The committee's mandate includes exploring the potential for government-to-government sales of military gear to foreign countries in addition to authorizing the export of defense platforms.
“This year’s defence budget had a significant thrust of Make in India, a reflection of the government’s commitment to boost defence production in the country. It will enable us to develop systems that have export potential. LCA can help India get a toehold in foreign markets,” Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies, Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd).
The modern light helicopter, offshore patrol vessels, personal protection equipment, surveillance systems, and a range of radars are among the defense assets that have already been sold.
The first test flight of the Tejas' latest variant, Mk-1A, is expected to take place soon, according to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL was given a 48,000-crore contract by the defence ministry last year to build 83 LCA Mk-1A planes for the Indian Air Force. The first Mk-1A aircraft will be delivered to the air force in March 2024, with the remaining aircraft arriving in 2029.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, India's largest aerospace company, produces Tejas. It is a single-engined, multi-role supersonic fighter capable of operating in high-threat airspace. The LCA Tejas is a fly-by-wire (FBW) fighter that can refuel in mid-flight. It boasts a glass cockpit with an advanced digital cockpit, multi-mode radar, integrated digital avionics system, and advanced composite material structures, almost like a stealth fighter. It's a fourth-generation fighter with a satellite-assisted inertial navigation system.
While the LCA Tejas has previously proven its mettle and flying abilities in Dubai last year, the Singapore airshow is significant since Malaysia will be watching the aircraft closely.
The manufacturer HAL is believed to be competing for the sale of the Tejas to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), which is searching for a perfect replacement for its BAE Systems Hawk 108 and Hawk 208 aircraft.
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