The largest-ever contract worth Rs 66,500 crore for 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighters is now all set to be inked with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), though the IAF is yet to get even the first such `improved’ jet of the 83 ordered earlier for Rs 46,898 crore in Feb 2021.


India: 66,500 crore deal for 97 Tejas jets inked 

In a bid to bolster its defence capabilities, Argentina's Defence Minister&nbsp;Jorge Enrique Taiana&nbsp;is in talks with India for the potential acquisition of Tejas fighter jets. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the minister revealed that Argentinian pilots have evaluated Tejas but pointed out hurdles over the presence of British parts. He said, "One issue is, for example, that the aircraft doesn't (can't) have not one piece of British part because the British don't sell it to Argentina. So, in the case of Tejas, it has 16 parts from the UK. So, the company has to change and replace the parts."

The minister is in India for a 4-day visit and held talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday to expand the defence cooperation and defence industrial partnership. He also visited BrahMos Aerospace and will also travel to Bengaluru to visit the facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Asked if his country will be keen to buy BrahMos missiles, he said, "I believe that there is a chance of that."&nbsp;He also spoke on other topics like India's G20 presidency, and the expansion of BRICS to include his country.

WION: What were the key focus areas of your conversation with the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: The key focus is to strengthen the relations between Argentina and India in general, and in particular, how to strengthen the cooperation and the relation in the area of defence. That was the main consideration.

WION: This was your first in-person meeting with Singh, how was the conversation?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: It was very good. In particular, (there were many) coincidences in the way we look at the world and the way we look into the principles on which we have to rely like non-interference in the affairs of another state, respect for the territorial integrity, solution of all conflicts, in general support the multilateral system and this is an issue which India Argentina have strong coincidences since very long time.

WION: One thing that is on everyone's mind is whether Argentina will buy Tejas, and if during your meeting with the Indian defence minister, talks were held on your potential procurement of Tejas from India. Can you tell us anything about this?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: Well, this is a clear case, India is an emerging country that has developed and is developing a defence area with technical and very interesting characteristics. So, we are trying to look into and discuss the issue and see the possibilities of not just buying. Instead, we prefer cooperation in shared opportunities. In the case of the aircraft, because Argentina is looking for supersonic fighter aircraft, our commission, the technical commission visited several countries to look into different kinds of aircraft. And we are at the end of the process of selection. The commission will not have a decision right now but in a couple of months.

WION: How positive was the conversation?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: It is a consideration of technical issues, financial issues, and political and strategic considerations. So that point hasn't arrived yet.

WION: So, a decision is yet to be made on Tejas?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: Not just Tejas, different aircraft.

WION: Talks on Tejas&nbsp;started last year when Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Argentina. Can you shed some light on the past conversation over this?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: We have sent our pilots to try and consider different aircraft from different countries. One issue is, for example, that the aircraft doesn't (can't) have not one piece of British part because the British don't sell it to Argentina. So, in the case of Tejas, it has 16 parts from the UK. So, the company has to change and replace the parts.

WION: Has the Argentinian pilots come to India to Tejas? When it comes to the British elements of Tejas, have you suggested to the Indian side to remove them?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: This is clear in the conversation, since a month ago this is clear. Yes, Argentinian pilots have flown Tejas, twice.

WION: Has there been a conversation on procuring BrahMos missiles from India?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: Yes, also about helicopters from HAL. We are going to visit Bengaluru, and we're going to talk about helicopters too. We need to buy helicopters, and we need 2-3 chances or possibility in which we have to decide which one is the best for Argentina.

WION: Based on the various conversations you had in India, with your counterpart, how do you see the nation as a country from which you can procure defence equipment?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: Well, it's clear development that India has (achieved) in this sector in the last years. That's why we, in general, are close to India, and this is a different part of the process. One part of the process is trade, for example, and the second we have a defence attaché here. We did not have a defence attaché in the past. So, we are taking different steps to move forward or to be closer and (develop) relations with India in general and in particular in the defence area.

WION: Do you see the defence domain expanding in the next few years and months?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: Yes, because there are two different issues. One is the expansion of trade in the defence industry. And the other is that Argentina is building capacities and capabilities and these processes are underway. We need different things and India now is producing a lot of these things.

WION: So, do you see in a year's time a major defence deal between India and Argentina, perhaps procurement of Brahmos?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: I believe that there is a chance of that, but our idea is not to go to a supermarket. We're trying to build connections, and relations and engage with partners in different areas. We are expanding our exchange of students from the armed forces, and so it is a process of doing things together in different areas. And in that process one important area is defence.

WION: Are you looking towards training, given the number of military personnel who come to India for training, especially in the neighbourhood?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: We are working on it. We are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), probably will probably be signed before the G20 summit in September.

WION: So now coming to G20. India is the president of the G20 grouping; we are going to host the Summit in September. Argentina was previously the president of the grouping and hosted the summit. So, what's your expectation when it comes to the Indian presidency of the G20?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: Well, it's interesting because India is a country that is now showing a lot of activity, interest and initiative. So I think that the push that will come under the presidency of India is an interesting moment to make the grouping more active. The problem is that all the multilateral systems are in confusion and with difficulties to obtain consensus.

WION: You talk about multilateral institutions being in confusion, but there are multilateral institutions like the BRICS, where there is a lot of enthusiasm as well. There have been reports saying that Argentina would like to be part of an expanded BRICS grouping. So perhaps you can shed some light.

Jorge Enrique Taiana: We are going in that direction. We're moving forward in trade, defence, we're moving forward in different areas and the conclusion is that we are moving and trying to be part of the BRICS. We will have a BRICS meeting in August, we'll see what happened. But I think it is important because it is an institution, mechanism and a group of countries that are showing a lot of resources, and political initiative, but also is a group of countries that are showing that we need to build something different for a better world.

WION:&nbsp; So you are here in Delhi, can we expect the Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh to visit Argentina as well?

Jorge Enrique Taiana:&nbsp; I invited him for a meeting that we will have...the second meeting of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean with a focus on UN Peacekeeping. So, we invited him as an observer. India has a lot of participation in peacekeeping operations. We have eight places where we are working right now. So, it's interesting to see if he could come there and be part of the meeting. The meeting happens in September.

WION: What is your vision regarding the India-Argentina relationship?

Jorge Enrique Taiana: I think that we have a long distance between our countries and different cultures, but we have common areas and lots of issues related to especially international politics. And I think that the relations between India and Argentina have a chance to grow.

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In a bid to bolster its defence capabilities, Argentina's Defence Minister Jorge Enrique Taiana is in talks with India for the potential acquisition of Tejas fighter jets.

In a bid to bolster its defence capabilities, Argentina's Defence Minister Jorge Enrique Taiana is in talks with India for the potential acquisition of Tejas fighter jets. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the minister revealed that Argentinian pilots have evaluated Tejas but pointed out hurdles over the presence of British parts. He said, "One issue is, for example, that the aircraft doesn't (can't) have not one piece of British part because the British don't sell it to Argentina. So, in the case of Tejas, it has 16 parts from the UK. So, the company has to change and replace the parts." The minister is in India for a 4-day visit and held talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday to expand the defence cooperation and defence industrial partnership. He also visited BrahMos Aerospace and will also travel to Bengaluru to visit the facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Asked if his country will be keen to buy BrahMos missiles, he said, "I believe that there is a chance of that." He also spoke on other topics like India's G20 presidency, and the expansion of BRICS to include his country. WION: What were the key focus areas of your conversation with the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi? Jorge Enrique Taiana: The key focus is to strengthen the relations between Argentina and India in general, and in particular, how to strengthen the cooperation and the relation in the area of defence. That was the main consideration. WION: This was your first in-person meeting with Singh, how was the conversation? Jorge Enrique Taiana: It was very good. In particular, (there were many) coincidences in the way we look at the world and the way we look into the principles on which we have to rely like non-interference in the affairs of another state, respect for the territorial integrity, solution of all conflicts, in general support the multilateral system and this is an issue which India Argentina have strong coincidences since very long time. WION: One thing that is on everyone's mind is whether Argentina will buy Tejas, and if during your meeting with the Indian defence minister, talks were held on your potential procurement of Tejas from India. Can you tell us anything about this? Jorge Enrique Taiana: Well, this is a clear case, India is an emerging country that has developed and is developing a defence area with technical and very interesting characteristics. So, we are trying to look into and discuss the issue and see the possibilities of not just buying. Instead, we prefer cooperation in shared opportunities. In the case of the aircraft, because Argentina is looking for supersonic fighter aircraft, our commission, the technical commission visited several countries to look into different kinds of aircraft. And we are at the end of the process of selection. The commission will not have a decision right now but in a couple of months. WION: How positive was the conversation? Jorge Enrique Taiana: It is a consideration of technical issues, financial issues, and political and strategic considerations. So that point hasn't arrived yet. WION: So, a decision is yet to be made on Tejas? Jorge Enrique Taiana: Not just Tejas, different aircraft. WION: Talks on Tejas started last year when Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Argentina. Can you shed some light on the past conversation over this? Jorge Enrique Taiana: We have sent our pilots to try and consider different aircraft from different countries. One issue is, for example, that the aircraft doesn't (can't) have not one piece of British part because the British don't sell it to Argentina. So, in the case of Tejas, it has 16 parts from the UK. So, the company has to change and replace the parts. WION: Has the Argentinian pilots come to India to Tejas? When it comes to the British elements of Tejas, have you suggested to the Indian side to remove them? Jorge Enrique Taiana: This is clear in the conversation, since a month ago this is clear. Yes, Argentinian pilots have flown Tejas, twice. WION: Has there been a conversation on procuring BrahMos missiles from India? Jorge Enrique Taiana: Yes, also about helicopters from HAL. We are going to visit Bengaluru, and we're going to talk about helicopters too. We need to buy helicopters, and we need 2-3 chances or possibility in which we have to decide which one is the best for Argentina. WION: Based on the various conversations you had in India, with your counterpart, how do you see the nation as a country from which you can procure defence equipment? Jorge Enrique Taiana: Well, it's clear development that India has (achieved) in this sector in the last years. That's why we, in general, are close to India, and this is a different part of the process. One part of the process is trade, for example, and the second we have a defence attaché here. We did not have a defence attaché in the past. So, we are taking different steps to move forward or to be closer and (develop) relations with India in general and in particular in the defence area. WION: Do you see the defence domain expanding in the next few years and months? Jorge Enrique Taiana: Yes, because there are two different issues. One is the expansion of trade in the defence industry. And the other is that Argentina is building capacities and capabilities and these processes are underway. We need different things and India now is producing a lot of these things. WION: So, do you see in a year's time a major defence deal between India and Argentina, perhaps procurement of Brahmos? Jorge Enrique Taiana: I believe that there is a chance of that, but our idea is not to go to a supermarket. We're trying to build connections, and relations and engage with partners in different areas. We are expanding our exchange of students from the armed forces, and so it is a process of doing things together in different areas. And in that process one important area is defence. WION: Are you looking towards training, given the number of military personnel who come to India for training, especially in the neighbourhood? Jorge Enrique Taiana: We are working on it. We are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), probably will probably be signed before the G20 summit in September. WION: So now coming to G20. India is the president of the G20 grouping; we are going to host the Summit in September. Argentina was previously the president of the grouping and hosted the summit. So, what's your expectation when it comes to the Indian presidency of the G20? Jorge Enrique Taiana: Well, it's interesting because India is a country that is now showing a lot of activity, interest and initiative. So I think that the push that will come under the presidency of India is an interesting moment to make the grouping more active. The problem is that all the multilateral systems are in confusion and with difficulties to obtain consensus. WION: You talk about multilateral institutions being in confusion, but there are multilateral institutions like the BRICS, where there is a lot of enthusiasm as well. There have been reports saying that Argentina would like to be part of an expanded BRICS grouping. So perhaps you can shed some light. Jorge Enrique Taiana: We are going in that direction. We're moving forward in trade, defence, we're moving forward in different areas and the conclusion is that we are moving and trying to be part of the BRICS. We will have a BRICS meeting in August, we'll see what happened. But I think it is important because it is an institution, mechanism and a group of countries that are showing a lot of resources, and political initiative, but also is a group of countries that are showing that we need to build something different for a better world. WION: So you are here in Delhi, can we expect the Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh to visit Argentina as well? Jorge Enrique Taiana: I invited him for a meeting that we will have...the second meeting of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean with a focus on UN Peacekeeping. So, we invited him as an observer. India has a lot of participation in peacekeeping operations. We have eight places where we are working right now. So, it's interesting to see if he could come there and be part of the meeting. The meeting happens in September. WION: What is your vision regarding the India-Argentina relationship? Jorge Enrique Taiana: I think that we have a long distance between our countries and different cultures, but we have common areas and lots of issues related to especially international politics. And I think that the relations between India and Argentina have a chance to grow. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Exclusive | Argentina eyes India's Tejas jets amidst UK parts hurdle

In a bid to replace their ageing fleets, Malaysia and Egypt are looking to buy India's Tejas fighter jets.

The jets, which are used for the advance level of pilot training programme, are&nbsp;getting a lot of inquiries after it was revealed that they cost less than $40 million per unit.

India is transforming from a buyer to a seller in the global weapons industry, which is worth more than $1.8 trillion.

In the last five years, India was the largest arms importer in the world with the country buying 11 per cent of the global share. But since 2017, India'a&nbsp;purchase of arms and ammunition has fallen by 21 per cent.

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India is now moving towards local production with three countries including Egypt, Malaysia and Singapore showing keen interest in procuring its weapons.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, several Western countries have imposed crippling sanctions against Moscow.

Experts believe this is a good opportunity for India to capitalise on the arms race and capture the growing and profitable market.

Since 2015, India's weapons export has increased six times with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) receiving numerous orders for Tejas jets which is a single-engine supersonic jet.

India offered to set up a maintenance facility in Malaysia so that it chooses Tejas over China's JF-17, South Korea's FA-15, and Russia's MiG-35.

Egypt, which is looking for light combat jets, is looking to replace its Dassault/Dornier Alpha jet that it procured in the 1980s.

India has offered to set up factories in Egypt and produce the Tejas jets in the country as a result of which it will get foreign investments and jobs as well.

The strategic move will help India supply its weapons in Northern Africa and West Asia, where several regional conflicts are taking place.

Currently, the arms bazaar is a buyer's market with countries looking to spend millions of dollars for weapons.

With so many available options, countries that are manufacturing weapons are offering incentives to those looking to purchase them.

&nbsp;

In a bid to replace their ageing fleets, Malaysia and Egypt are looking to buy India's Tejas fighter jets. The jets, which are used for the advance level of pilot training programme, are getting a lot of inquiries after it was revealed that they cost less than $40 million per unit.

In a bid to replace their ageing fleets, Malaysia and Egypt are looking to buy India's Tejas fighter jets. The jets, which are used for the advance level of pilot training programme, are getting a lot of inquiries after it was revealed that they cost less than $40 million per unit. India is transforming from a buyer to a seller in the global weapons industry, which is worth more than $1.8 trillion. In the last five years, India was the largest arms importer in the world with the country buying 11 per cent of the global share. But since 2017, India'a purchase of arms and ammunition has fallen by 21 per cent. × India is now moving towards local production with three countries including Egypt, Malaysia and Singapore showing keen interest in procuring its weapons. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, several Western countries have imposed crippling sanctions against Moscow. Experts believe this is a good opportunity for India to capitalise on the arms race and capture the growing and profitable market. Since 2015, India's weapons export has increased six times with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) receiving numerous orders for Tejas jets which is a single-engine supersonic jet. India offered to set up a maintenance facility in Malaysia so that it chooses Tejas over China's JF-17, South Korea's FA-15, and Russia's MiG-35. Egypt, which is looking for light combat jets, is looking to replace its Dassault/Dornier Alpha jet that it procured in the 1980s. India has offered to set up factories in Egypt and produce the Tejas jets in the country as a result of which it will get foreign investments and jobs as well. The strategic move will help India supply its weapons in Northern Africa and West Asia, where several regional conflicts are taking place. Currently, the arms bazaar is a buyer's market with countries looking to spend millions of dollars for weapons. With so many available options, countries that are manufacturing weapons are offering incentives to those looking to purchase them.

Egypt, Malaysia looking to replace their ageing fleets with India's Tejas fighter jets

Sharing a poster of her upcoming patriotic film 'Tejas',&nbsp;actor Kangana Ranaut on Friday announced that the film is all set to go on the floors in December this year.

The 'Queen'&nbsp;actor took to Twitter to share the poster that sees her wearing an Air Force uniform as she stands beside the fighter aircraft Tejas.

"#Tejas to take-off this December! Proud to be part of this exhilarating story that is an ode to our brave airforce pilots! Jai Hind #FridaysWithRSVP@sarveshmewara1 @RonnieScrewvala @rsvpmovies @nonabains," she tweeted along with the picture.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tejas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tejas</a> starring <a href="https://twitter.com/KanganaTeam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KanganaTeam</a> to take-off this December! ✈️ 
This film is our ode to the brave Air Force Pilots of India! Jai Hind 🇮🇳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FridaysWithRSVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FridaysWithRSVP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sarveshmewara1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sarveshmewara1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RSVPMovies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RSVPMovies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nonabains?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nonabains</a> <a href="https://t.co/tWZwtBHDeA">pic.twitter.com/tWZwtBHDeA</a>
— Ronnie Screwvala (@RonnieScrewvala) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonnieScrewvala/status/1299201521096089600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Kangana Ranaut is all set to portray the role of an Air Force pilot. The Indian Air Force was the first of the country`s defence forces to induct women into combat roles in 2016. 
 
The film takes inspiration from this landmark event. The first look of the film was released earlier in February which featured the 'Tanu Weds Manu'&nbsp;actor donning the Air Force uniform.

Helmed by Sarvesh Mewara and bankrolled by Ronnie Screwvala, the film is scheduled to release in April 2021.&nbsp;

Sharing a poster of her upcoming patriotic film 'Tejas', actor Kangana Ranaut on Friday announced that the film is all set to go on the floors in December this year.

Sharing a poster of her upcoming patriotic film 'Tejas', actor Kangana Ranaut on Friday announced that the film is all set to go on the floors in December this year. The 'Queen' actor took to Twitter to share the poster that sees her wearing an Air Force uniform as she stands beside the fighter aircraft Tejas. "#Tejas to take-off this December! Proud to be part of this exhilarating story that is an ode to our brave airforce pilots! Jai Hind #FridaysWithRSVP@sarveshmewara1 @RonnieScrewvala @rsvpmovies @nonabains," she tweeted along with the picture. #Tejas starring @KanganaTeam to take-off this December! ✈️ This film is our ode to the brave Air Force Pilots of India! Jai Hind 🇮🇳#FridaysWithRSVP @sarveshmewara1 @RSVPMovies @nonabains pic.twitter.com/tWZwtBHDeA — Ronnie Screwvala (@RonnieScrewvala) August 28, 2020 × Kangana Ranaut is all set to portray the role of an Air Force pilot. The Indian Air Force was the first of the country`s defence forces to induct women into combat roles in 2016. The film takes inspiration from this landmark event. The first look of the film was released earlier in February which featured the 'Tanu Weds Manu' actor donning the Air Force uniform. Helmed by Sarvesh Mewara and bankrolled by Ronnie Screwvala, the film is scheduled to release in April 2021.

Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Tejas' to go on floors in December 2020

How Israel's Derby missile can change the game for India's fighter Tejas

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh becomes the first defence minister to fly in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on Thursday.

Singh was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari.

The fighter jet took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bangalore.

The Defence Minister who donned a white helmet waved to onlookers after he took his seat in the back in the twin-seater version of the aircraft.

The defence minister was briefed by the pilot and other top Indian Air Force (IAF) officials.

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Earlier today, Rajnath Singh tweeted two pictures of him dressed in a green flight suit. "All Set For The Day!" he posted.

The Tejas is an Indian single-engine, delta wing, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters. In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas".

(With inputs from ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh becomes the first defence minister to fly in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on Thursday. Singh was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh becomes the first defence minister to fly in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on Thursday. Singh was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari. The fighter jet took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bangalore. The Defence Minister who donned a white helmet waved to onlookers after he took his seat in the back in the twin-seater version of the aircraft. The defence minister was briefed by the pilot and other top Indian Air Force (IAF) officials. Earlier today, Rajnath Singh tweeted two pictures of him dressed in a green flight suit. "All Set For The Day!" he posted. The Tejas is an Indian single-engine, delta wing, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters. In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas". (With inputs from ANI)

Rajnath Singh becomes first defence minister to fly in Light Combat Aircraft Tejas