Egypt Explores India's Tejas Mk1A and ALH for Potential Purchase, China's J-10 Also in Competition

Egypt is actively seeking to enhance its air force capabilities and is exploring various options, including acquiring India's Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). This interest comes as Egypt is looking to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets and expand its helicopter fleet.

A recent visit by senior Egyptian officials to the production lines of the Tejas Mk1A and ALH in Bengaluru underscores the country's seriousness in considering these Indian-made platforms.

While Egypt currently operates a mix of French Rafale and older F-16 fighter jets, the limited range of their air-to-air missiles has prompted them to explore alternative options. India’s Tejas, armed with advanced weaponry, appears to be an attractive candidate.

The Tejas Mk1A, a single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft, has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and is currently in service with the Indian Air Force. Its advanced capabilities and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for foreign buyers. If Egypt decides to acquire the Tejas, it would mark a significant milestone in Indian defence exports and further strengthen its strategic partnerships in the region.

In addition to the Tejas, Egypt is also considering the ALH, a versatile helicopter that can be used for a variety of missions, including troop transport, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. The ALH's proven track record and cost-effectiveness make it a compelling option for Egypt's growing helicopter fleet.

While Egypt is also in talks with China for a possible acquisition of its J-10 fighters, India's participation in the recent Egypt International Airshow and the showcasing of the ALH there indicate a strong push by India to secure Egyptian interest. Egypt has projected a requirement for 18-20 light-weight fighter jets and an undisclosed number of multi-mission helicopters.

The potential sale of the Tejas to Egypt could also include the establishment of a maintenance, research, and overhaul (MRO) facility in the African nation. This would not only ensure efficient maintenance of the aircraft but also create opportunities for economic cooperation and technology transfer between the two countries.

While the Tejas Mk1A program is currently facing some delays, HAL is taking steps to ramp up production and meet the Indian Air Force's growing requirements as well as cater to potential exports.

The outcome of these discussions remains to be seen, but Egypt's interest in India's Tejas and ALH underscores the growing reputation of Indian defence products in the global market. If successful, these deals could significantly boost India's defence exports and strengthen its strategic partnerships in the region.

 

[sanket]

Uncle Sam hold the Remote

 

[NSR]

Tired of these stories and no possibility as Egypt already chose F/T-50 from South Korea.

Have some shame and deliver the first Tejas IA in November 2024, and then adhere to the milestones.
Keep manufacturing th Tejas IAs and the engines will show up

 

[Kiran Kumar]

Tired of these stories and no possibility as Egypt already chose F/T-50 from South Korea.

Have some shame and deliver the first Tejas IA in November 2024, and then adhere to the milestones.
Keep manufacturing th Tejas IAs and the engines will show up

Delivery of Tejas is being delayed because US is deliberately delaying Engine deliveries. Assembling line is ready, only heart (Engine) is missing.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

Keep more numbers of US engines as spares. If ever we get an export order engine supply should not be a constraint. If we don't get export orders then spare engines could be used for mid life upgrades.

First get at least 1 engine, we think of spares later.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Keep more numbers of US engines as spares. If ever we get an export order engine supply should not be a constraint. If we don't get export orders then spare engines could be used for mid life upgrades.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Uncle Sam hold the Remote

100% CORRECT. Just simply order 126 nos. of F16 Blk 72 special IAF version fighter jets, and transfer LM plant to India on MRFA tender - for servicing all Asia Mid East and Africa F16's and then slowwwllly they will transfer F35 plant also to India; and stop LM support to Turkey next- becoz Erdogan is calling for coalition of Arab countries armies against Israel!

 

[Debunk007]

No GE engine, no Tejas.
Egypt and any others are simply wasting their time.
Even if the engines do come, it will take many years to see some decent numbers of Tejas flying around.

 

[Akshat]

100% CORRECT. Just simply order 126 nos. of F16 Blk 72 special IAF version fighter jets, and transfer LM plant to India on MRFA tender - for servicing all Asia Mid East and Africa F16's and then slowwwllly they will transfer F35 plant also to India; and stop LM support to Turkey next- becoz Erdogan is calling for coalition of Arab countries armies against Israel!

So you want us to buy 114 F21/F16, the plane which failed the field trials last time? Not to mention, they have a delivery lag of at least 7 years that too for the US made planes. Indian made will be even slower. And finally, there is no F21. So if selected, they will ask IAF to pay for the prototypes, make them, test them, certify them and then start production. Then count 7 years from there.

You want us to order this plane?

 

[Sandeep]

India should definitely try and sell these jets as an armed trainer for pilots to practice and improve their fire power and their combat skills in launching their weapons if they don’t want a light combat fighter.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

So you want us to buy 114 F21/F16, the plane which failed the field trials last time? Not to mention, they have a delivery lag of at least 7 years that too for the US made planes. Indian made will be even slower. And finally, there is no F21. So if selected, they will ask IAF to pay for the prototypes, make them, test them, certify them and then start production. Then count 7 years from there.

You want us to order this plane?

Other than that all programs of HAL will be cancelled as there is no other engine available readily for LCA jets and GTRE developments will take 10+ years for Kaveri2.0 and might not be a proper engine finally even! Uncle Sam has HAL ADA by the bollocks now permnently using GE engines deliveries sanctions now!!

 

[Rajesh]

American engines and amerika will always be a problem . A close specification comes with m88-3 of safran so we go for a similar deal like what we r doing with aravalli engines and make it a condition for Dassault that we buy rafale with m88-3 engines only . They have done a bit of work so won't be that delay like developing from scratch. It is better to do something than wasting time on Americans politics.

 

[beencensured]

Insert the kaveri in whatever form into tejas and flight test it. These Pakistani jokers will never want it certified. There is no time to waste as lsp are for testing. More engines are tested the faster certification whether 73 kn Or 80 kn is better then no engine and certainly better then current gef404 which are maximum 78 kn in cold weather only. .Kick America.