India’s ‘Tejas’ Sales Pivot to the Philippines after Argentina Setback
Defense media reports in India state that senior officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) were reported to be in the Philippines recently to try their luck once again in making the Philippines their first export market for the "Tejas" fighter aircraft.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — India’s attempt to sell the “Tejas” fighter aircraft to Argentina can be considered to have come to an end after the United States granted approval to Denmark to transfer its F-16 aircraft to a Latin American country.
The approval is seen as the final step that enables Washington to sell approximately 24 used F-16A/B aircraft from Denmark to Argentina, with an estimated value of around US$700 million (RM3.1 billion).
After facing several failures, including in Malaysia, New Delhi attempted to make Argentina the first export market for the domestically developed “Tejas” fighter aircraft.
However, their efforts in securing the first export market for the “Tejas” in Argentina failed after the United States, concerned about China, approved the transfer of 24 Danish-owned F-16 aircraft to a Latin American country.
Recent media reports stated that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs had handed over the approval letter for the transfer of Denmark’s F-16 aircraft to the Argentine ambassador in Washington.
Argentina has also recently acquired four P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
China, keen to penetrate Latin America, offered its jointly developed JF-17 fighter aircraft with Pakistan to Argentina through an attractive sales package.
Concerned about China’s enticing offer to Argentina, Washington expedited the sale of Denmark’s used F-16s to Buenos Aires.
The United States does not want to see China establish a foothold in Latin America through the sale of the JF-17, expanding its political and military influence in the neighboring region.
Hence, the United States took the step of selling used F-16 aircraft to Argentina.
As for India and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the developers of the “Tejas” fighter, they are reported to have “returned to the Philippines” after facing setbacks in the Latin American market.
HAL officials were reportedly in the Philippines recently to try their luck once again in making the Philippines their first export market for the “Tejas” fighter.
However, their efforts to sell the “Tejas” to the Philippines are also facing challenges because Manila is said to have shortlisted two fighter aircraft options to meet its needs.
The Philippines aims to acquire a fleet of Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) aircraft to supplement the 12 light FA-50 fighter aircraft it purchased from South Korea in 2015 to replace the retired F-5 aircraft from 2005.
A spokesperson for the Philippine Air Force mentioned that they have shortlisted the F-16 Block 50/52 and Gripen C/D as the fighter aircraft options to consider for the MRF program.
However, until the Philippine government makes a final decision on their fighter aircraft choice, Indian officials and HAL can continue to hope for a “miracle” to occur. — DSA
DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA APPS
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