Tejas Fighter Jet Has Admirers Outside Of India; Is It Up For Sale?

With the induction of the Tejas Jet into the India's Air Force, it has already started of curiosity levels outside of India.

Some of the leading defence and aeronautical firms of the West are worried about the success of the Tejas trainer jet. Rumour has it that Sri Lanka and Egypt are looking to purchase the trainer jet for their fleet.

The Tejas is a lightweight, multi-role, supersonic single engine Light Combat Aircraft which is being developed by ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) in collaboration with HAL (Hindustan Aeronautical Limited). This has been in development for the last three decades.

The reasons for curiosity is that the Tejas is lower in cost and the abilities have proven good. The IAF (Indian Air Force) will be the first to receive the Tejas and reportedly looking for 200 of the single seat and 20 two-seat trainer jets. The Navy too is keen on adding 40 single-seater Tejas to replace the Sea Harrier.

The Tejas is expected to enter into service of the Indian Defence by 2017-18, it is the second aircraft to be developed by HAL after HF-24 Marut.

According to the website of www.dailymirror.lk, both Sri Lanka and Egypt are interested in the trainer jet to replenish their fleet. Currently, Sri Lanka has the Chinese license-built MIG-21 and they are looking at more updated and future spec aircraft for their defence requirement. Egypt too is looking to change the fleet as well with the India made Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.