India acknowledges Argentina's interest in buying India’s indigenous Tejas fighter jets

New Delhi, Aug 27: In a significant development, India acknowledged Argentina's interest in the made-in-India Tejas fighter aircraft for the Argentine Air Force. This talks on LCA Tejas came during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's two-day official visit to Argentina. Argentina has also affirmed its support for India’s upcoming G20 Presidency, including for furthering the development agenda of the Global South in the G20.

 

 

During his meeting with Argentina Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero, EAM Jaishankar reviewed the ongoing cooperation in the strategic sectors of Defence, Nuclear Energy and Space. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Cafiero jointly presided over a Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between the two countries. During the visit, Jaishankar also called on Argentine President Dr Alberto Fernandez.

 

"EAM, acknowledging Argentine interest in the Made in India TEJAS fighter aircrafts for Argentine Air Force, highlighted importance of the proposal in enhancing strategic quotient of bilateral relationship. Both sides agreed to promote exchange of visits between Armed Forces, defence trainings and collaboration for joint production of defence related equipment," the MEA statement stated.

 

 

Notably, India will assume the presidency of G20 in September 2023. Expressing satisfaction at the close cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral fora, both ministers agreed to closely cooperate with the United Nations and other multilateral organizations to address global challenges of terrorism, security, international and regional peace, climate change, biodiversity loss, equitable trade and sustainable development.

 

India reiterated its support for the resumption of negotiations to find a solution to the sovereignty issue relating to the question of the Malvinas Islands in accordance with the Resolutions of the UNGA and the Special Committee on Decolonization.

 

Both the ministers agreed to hold the next round of Joint Commission Meeting in India in 2023 on mutually convenient dates. The External Affairs Minister is on an official visit to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina from August 22-27.

 

 

On the other hand, the talks on fighter aircraft come as a number of countries including Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have shown interest in the Made in India jet. LCA Tejas is indigenous aircraft in the defence market which has caught the eye of several nations for superior flying ability, maneuverability, and ease of handling. The Indian Air Force had recently equipped the Tejas with the French-origin Hammer air-to-ground stand-off missile along with the indigenous Astra indigenous air-to-air missiles.

 

The Indian Air Force is strongly supporting the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft programme by adding more and more capabilities to the aircraft. The IAF has already operationalised two of its squadrons in the initial operational clearance and final operational clearance versions while a contract has been signed for the 83 Mark1As set to be delivered a couple of years from now. The IAF has also its eyes set on the LCA Mark 2 and the AMCA being developed by the DRDO for it.