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In an unexpected development, both Nigeria and Botswana have reportedly withdrawn from negotiations with India for the purchase of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.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.

 

[Somebody]

Who will, only MK1A or MK2 will have better chances depending on the cost, Chinese must have given them sone freebees.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

What an achievement by HAL, they are making India fun infront of the World. They are good in outdated Dornier aircraft which will give free to other neighboring countries that too on special request.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

HAL should concentrate on stabilizing the delivery of IAF first. No one will give you order if you cannot fulfil the order of your own country.

 

[CCPSmasher]

There so much you can achieved with beng a LOUD MOUTH yet achieve on snalepace! Anyone with an internet connection know HAL TALKS BIGGG yet can't even deliver IAF's need on time since like all the time

 

[siva]

Good decision, they're not fools, to believe it will fly without engine.

 

[Instant Karma]

Who will, only MK1A or MK2 will have better chances depending on the cost, Chinese must have given them sone freebees.

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.

 

[Anant]

If someone in HAL sympathisers was idiotic enough to keep dreaming that the Tejas would get an export order when they haven't managed to stick to anything even remotely close to the planned delivery schedule, and they are now feeling bad, they deserve that for having useless dreams.

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.

For Botswana, well, in a world where you have the Tejas competing against the FA-50 and F-16, the Tejas is almost always going to come third.

 

[beencensured]

HAL should concentrate on stabilizing the delivery of IAF first. No one will give you order if you cannot fulfil the order of your own country.

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.

 

[sid]

Unlike IAF, they don't have to accept thrash

 

[beencensured]

What an achievement by HAL, they are making India fun infront of the World. They are good in outdated Dornier aircraft which will give free to other neighboring countries that too on special request.

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

 

[beencensured]

If someone in HAL sympathisers was idiotic enough to keep dreaming that the Tejas would get an export order when they haven't managed to stick to anything even remotely close to the planned delivery schedule, and they are now feeling bad, they deserve that for having useless dreams.

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.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Well It's their loss as Tejas is the best non 5th generation stealth fighter. According to JaiShankarji, 36 countries want Tejas. But HAL should first fulfill IAFs order of 83 mk1As first.

 

[Atharva Khalatkar]

Unlike IAF, they don't have to accept thrash

Hm, they already have trash, aka JF-17, in their inventory, while LCA Tejas offers a much better choice, but production delay is the main limitation.

 

[Atharva Khalatkar]

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

 

[Kiran Kumar]

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

Then scrap the program and go for the shopping to purchase if Military is not showing interest in Tejas. Why to waste Tax payers money on developing it when IAF is not showing interest to use it.

 

[SR]

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.

Yes, in other countries, the armed forces will get criticized if they do any wrong, and weapon deals will get heavy criticism if there is any delay because the people follow their culture instead of worshipping politicians. In our country, the majority community started worshipping leaders instead of gods. So any wrong will never be pointed out.

 

[SR]

Who will, only MK1A or MK2 will have better chances depending on the cost, Chinese must have given them sone freebees.

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

 

[Sudha]

HAL cannot satisfy it's only customer IAF & delivers all planes with huge delays. Why will other nations feel confident that HAL will perform on time? HAL should seriously think of upticking it's efficiency & productivity, gain good repuration first as a professional organisation for exports to happen. What other nations will be looking at is HAL's track record. Other nations will give various excuses as to why they aren't going to purchase LCA whatever iteration it might be.

 

[sumeet biswas]

Surprise surprise 😂😂 we are so shocked 😂 we didn't saw It coming 😂?!!
when you have babus who don't give you product in time why would a foreign country order this jet?
and I am not speaking the facts here about how this program which has been plagued with various discrepancies throughout its development phase.
the reputation that this jet has created in the foreign market is of Samosa
And sadly Pakistanis are right here this jet is a samosa not because of its looks but because of its developmental journey..

 

[Sudha]

Unlike IAF, they don't have to accept thrash

The aircraft is good, but not HAL with its delays. Now HAL personnel have more tea and samosa time due to HAL's huge delays. For Mk1a, they got the opportunity to blame GE, and HAL fanboys are blaming GE but not HAL for making a wrong decision on the F404.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

The idea of using foreign sales of the Tejas fighter jet to fund India's defence budget and future research was a good one. However, in today's market, it's unrealistic to expect buyers for a 4.5 generation fighter jet that is still in development, especially when there are already several proven options available. The Tejas program has faced significant delays and setbacks, and its limited range and weapons load make it less attractive to potential customers.

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) decision to purchase the Tejas Mk1a and Mk2 was largely driven by the government's "Make in India" initiative, which prioritizes domestic production. Without this policy, the IAF would likely have opted for a more mature and proven fighter jet through the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition. The delays in the Tejas program have also pushed back the MMRCA acquisition by at least 10-20 years.

To prevent further deterioration of the situation, the MRFA competition should be run in parallel with the development of the Tejas Mk1a, Mk2, TEDBF, and AMCA. This will ensure that the IAF has access to the latest fighter jet technology while allowing HAL to continue developing indigenous aircraft.

HAL must focus on completing the IAF's order for the Tejas Mk1a and continue the development of the Mk2, TEDBF, and AMCA. However, it's crucial that India makes quick decisions on the MRFA and the 110kn engine with Safran. Additional deals for local manufacturing of GE F404 and F414 engines should also be signed.

As the IAF chief has stated, "Technology delayed is technology lost." India cannot afford to fall behind in the race for advanced fighter jet technology. If it cannot deliver on its promises to its own air force, it will be difficult to gain the trust of potential export customers.

 

[Sudha]

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.

S400 delivery has ukraine war as a rationale reason. But what excuse HAL has got for delays? DA supplied all 36 rafales in two years of first induction & even after 10 years of first induction HAL couldn't supply all 40 teajsmk1 contracted in 2010.

 

[Sudha]

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

Why blame MOD other than not making HAL accountable for the delays? Set right HAL, everything will go smoothly.

 

[beencensured]

Then scrap the program and go for the shopping to purchase if Military is not showing interest in Tejas. Why to waste Tax payers money on developing it when IAF is not showing interest to use it.

They have ordered about two hundred.