Nigeria and Botswana Reportedly Back Out of Indian Tejas Acquisition Talks, Citing HAL's Capacity Concerns Amid IAF Delivery Delays

In an unexpected development, both Nigeria and Botswana have reportedly withdrawn from negotiations with India for the purchase of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. This setback could potentially hinder Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and India's aspirations to expand its defence export market.

Nigeria's interest in the Tejas was viewed as a key part of its air force modernization efforts. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been actively seeking to replace its aging fleet and enhance its combat capabilities to address ongoing security challenges such as insurgency and piracy. The Tejas was considered a strong contender, but recent reports suggest Nigeria has opted not to proceed with the acquisition.

Similarly, Botswana had expressed interest in the Tejas to replace its aging CF-5A and CF-5D jets. The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) had evaluated several options, including the Swedish Gripen and South Korean FA-50, alongside the Tejas.

While the specific reasons for Nigeria and Botswana's withdrawal remain unclear, industry analysts suggest that concerns over HAL's production capacity and its ability to deliver the aircraft within a reasonable timeframe may have played a role.

HAL has been facing delays in meeting the Indian Air Force's (IAF) own Tejas orders, which may have raised doubts about its ability to fulfill export orders promptly.

With these international sales faltering, HAL might now prioritize fulfilling the IAF's requirements for fleet modernization. This situation highlights the challenges faced by Indian defence manufacturers in balancing domestic demands with export ambitions.

To successfully compete in the global defence market, HAL will need to address production capacity constraints and demonstrate its ability to deliver on its commitments in a timely manner.

 

[Bhishma]

Set right HAL, everything will go smoothly.

No, it won't. You are not addressing the root problem. We have developed a culture of foreign imports. Big money is involved. Nobody is willing to break this system. Take a look at the top 10 FDI sources for India.

The top sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India in 2023-24 are:

• Singapore: The largest source of FDI in India, contributing $11.77 billion
• Mauritius: The second-largest source of FDI in India, contributing $7.97 billion
• United States: The third-largest source of FDI in India, contributing $4.99 billion
• Netherlands: Contributed $4.93 billion
• Japan: Contributed $3.17 billion
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Contributed $2.9 billion
• United Kingdom (UK): Contributed $1.2 billion
• Cyprus: Contributed $806 million
• Germany: Contributed $505 million
• Cayman Islands: Contributed $342 million

Why are tiny countries like Singapore, Mauritius, Netherlands, Cyprus, Cayman Islands investing so much in India? Mauritius and Singapore invest more than the #1 economy in the world. Does it make any logical sense? So no, fixing HAL is not going to fix it. As of today, there is zero accountability. Saab can come and tell us that they can coexist with Tejas 2. That we still have to buy foreign equipment even if there is zero value add. Nobody raises an eyebrow.

 

[Bhishma]

Tejas needs Kaveri. Once the integration is done, package it with Brahmos/Astra/Rudram. It will be a killer deal. The key to the whole thing is Kaveri. We also need to have a creative organizational setup. Use the Brahmos Aerospace model — let 49% be held by private corps such as Tata/L&T, 51% held by the government. The private players will bring efficiency. Government stake will ensure national security. This is the way forward.

 

[Jay]

Bottom line, you can't make world-class products by political propaganda and riding piggyback on partisan media.

The PSUs are manned almost 50% by employees who get in via quota/reservation and not by merit!

So how can we expect cutting-edge technologies from such entities?

Meritocracy needs to be promoted by educated leadership.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Obviously, they WILL halt, why wouldn't they?

HAL has a history of riding on Western shoulders and can't make one - JUST ONE - high-tech product by itself.

Why buy from India when they can buy directly from the West?

Malaysia rejected HAL and went ahead with Korea, even after India stooped down by saying they would buy more palm oil and set up an MRO facility there.

Moreover, HAL has NEVER fulfilled its orders on time and has a long history of delays, miserably failing to give confidence and earn trust as a technological partner.

Korea and Turkey have already emerged. I won't be surprised if even Pakistan emerges as a jet manufacturer with China's help.

So, TEJAS can NEVER get any international orders while much more advanced versions are available.

Instead of humiliating ourselves more, India should shut down HAL and DRDO and become consumers of foreign defence companies. Who are these companies trying to kid?

And I'm still not sure who decided to grant them "Maharatna" status.

 

[Omad Er]

For Nigeria, when they already have light-ish combat jets in form of the M-346FA and JF-17, going for the Tejas made absolutely no sense, not to mention they are purchasing a few more second hand Alpha Jets.

JF-17 is outdated, cheap Chinese knockoff stuff originally made in China. Its original name is FC-1 Xiaolong. Pakistan bought it and renamed it.

 

[Military Maven]

It would be more credible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your expertise within your own military before offering it to others. It seems counterintuitive to focus on selling to others without first proving its value domestically. Additionally, it's not just China influencing these restrictions; the USA and Europe collectively play a role in limiting such sales.

 

[Instant Karma]

Chinese have made huge amount of investments in all African countries in infrastructure and other sectors. No chances of India getting any orders from African countries.

So blame china, not HAL?

 

[Sanca]

Chinese have made huge amount of investments in all African countries in infrastructure and other sectors. No chances of India getting any orders from African countries.

Actually India competed with China for infantry fighting vehicles and India not only won, but Morocco asked India to set up weapons factories in the country. Of course this is impossible for most commenters here, because they claim China is 20 years ahead. Let's hope these countries buy JF-17's so they will be back in a few years.

 

[Debunk007]

Potential buyers see the long duration timelines.. and that is instant turn off for them.
Nobody respects time wasters.

 

[Akshat]

Chinese have made huge amount of investments in all African countries in infrastructure and other sectors. No chances of India getting any orders from African countries.

Morocco is also in Africa but Tata is getting order after order from them. 🤣🤣🤣 Other private sector companies, like Big Bang Boom Solutions, are also getting significant orders. So why blame China for the failure of HAL?

 

[Akshat]

The amount china investing in africa is huge some countries don't have option for few deals other than china. On the other hand US threatens any country with civil war if they don't accept their terms. Presently africa is burning more than ever in last 8 decades.
We can't compare to US / china

Morocco is in which continent bro?

 

[Dredd]

I am doubting the follow-on order of 97 Tejas Mk1A from the IAF. If HAL couldn't catch up on the supply rate and Tejas Mk2 rolls out this year, then HAL can forget about the 97 Tejas Mk1A order. At max, they will go with 2 squadrons of additional Mk1A, and the remaining order will be added to Tejas Mk2 numbers.

 

[Akshat]

They have ordered about two hundred.

Yet even the first 40 are not delivered but you will only blame military and MoD.

 

[Akshat]

Tejas is one of the better aircraft, but hurdles of the military and MoD result in inefficiency.

It is better, yet no one in the world wants it. But our IAF has already signed the deal for 123 and is gonna order 97 more. Yet blame the MoD and military and not the family sanctioned institutes of DRDO and HAL for making a 70s era plane in 2020s. True family loyalist for us all to see.

 

[Akshat]

No, it won't. You are not addressing the root problem. We have developed a culture of foreign imports. Big money is involved. Nobody is willing to break this system. Take a look at the top 10 FDI sources for India.

The top sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India in 2023-24 are:

• Singapore: The largest source of FDI in India, contributing $11.77 billion
• Mauritius: The second-largest source of FDI in India, contributing $7.97 billion
• United States: The third-largest source of FDI in India, contributing $4.99 billion
• Netherlands: Contributed $4.93 billion
• Japan: Contributed $3.17 billion
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Contributed $2.9 billion
• United Kingdom (UK): Contributed $1.2 billion
• Cyprus: Contributed $806 million
• Germany: Contributed $505 million
• Cayman Islands: Contributed $342 million

Why are tiny countries like Singapore, Mauritius, Netherlands, Cyprus, Cayman Islands investing so much in India? Mauritius and Singapore invest more than the #1 economy in the world. Does it make any logical sense? So no, fixing HAL is not going to fix it. As of today, there is zero accountability. Saab can come and tell us that they can coexist with Tejas 2. That we still have to buy foreign equipment even if there is zero value add. Nobody raises an eyebrow.

Well here is the thing buddy. Singapore, Mauritius, Cyrus etc. are all basically financial hubs. They are not investing their own money. Most billionaires across the world park their money in these countries and invest through them. Most of the banks, financial institutes etc. have offices there and route money through them. This is because of the low tax rates. Also, these countries are, at least on the face value, more law abiding than others. That's why all major cross border investments list these countries as the place for arbitration.

So does it make any sense? It makes perfect sense, in fact.

 

[Akshat]

People love to talk nonsense, but there is no order without funds and certification. Second, MOD are at fault for not flight-testing and certifying the Kaveri.

Certification comes from DRDO itself but you won't mention that because that will threaten your socialist legacy. 🤣🤣🤣Now will you mention that funds were given to HAL many years ago but no planes were delivered.

 

[Akshat]

They have a better delivery schedule than most. Still waiting for S-400, and many Russian items get delayed, even the Rafales, but then they do not have people cheering for failure.

Of course you will compare with the worst Russia. Why not compare with the likes of France who delivered all the Rafales on time and are right now going ahead of their own delivery guidance?

 

[Akshat]

Tejas is a good aircraft in his class but production inefficiency of HAL and lengthy period of certification..

How can one even say Tejas is a good aircraft? We all remember how the IAF itself wanted to shut down the program after just 40 units were ordered as a pittance. Apart from the GoI, has anyone ever evaluated it and passed it or certified it as a good aircraft?

 

[Anant]

JF-17 is outdated, cheap Chinese knockoff stuff originally made in China. Its original name is FC-1 Xiaolong. Pakistan bought it and renamed it.

True, but that doesn't change the fact that the JF-17 is both in service in larger numbers and with more nations than the Tejas. It is a worse fighter, yes, but it still has numbers, and quantity does have a quality of its own.

 

[Akshat]

Bottom line, you can't make world-class products by political propaganda and riding piggyback on partisan media.

The PSUs are manned almost 50% by employees who get in via quota/reservation and not by merit!

So how can we expect cutting-edge technologies from such entities?

Meritocracy needs to be promoted by educated leadership.

Till the 90s, the quota was around 20%. And there was no quota in promotions, etc. What did those 80% do? Nothing. In fact, our performance has improved since reservations came around. You can compare the economic growth since the 90s and before that. (And before you say something, I am from the General category)

 

[Bhishma]

Well here is the thing buddy. Singapore, Mauritius, Cyrus etc. are all basically financial hubs. They are not investing their own money.

You are a known "DPSU hater, import pusher". The very fact that you are coming to the defence of Singapore/Mauritius, etc., makes me wonder if there is any relationship between foreign imports and FDIs from tiny countries.

Most billionaires across the world park their money in these countries and invest through them.

Are you alleging that the bribes received for imports are being washed through these countries and making their way back to India? Are you alleging that since India has no way to audit Singapore/Mauritius, etc., black money can be safely routed through these countries and legally brought home? Interesting 🤔

 

[Akshat]

You are a known "DPSU hater, import pusher". The very fact that you are coming to the defence of Singapore/Mauritius, etc., makes me wonder if there is any relationship between foreign imports and FDIs from tiny countries.

Are you alleging that the bribes received for imports are being washed through these countries and making their way back to India? Are you alleging that since India has no way to audit Singapore/Mauritius, etc., black money can be safely routed through these countries and legally brought home? Interesting 🤔

DPSU hater? Well, gee...don't make me blush. Thanks. But import pusher? I would say I am more of an army man. Do whatever you have to do, just get the weapons to my soldiers.

As for FDIs, it wasn't a defense but an explanation. You asked a question on a public forum and you were given an answer.

I don't know if I even said that any bribes have been taken (though I am not denying it either) in the first place. In fact, my explanation had nothing even remotely close to bribes.

So if you wanna have a serious discussion, I am all for it. But if you wanna just slander and then write things which have no relation to the original comment or to my response, well, if you are looking to pick a fight, I am all for it and most people here would attest to that.