https://sputniknews.in/20231011/why-argentina-picked-us-f-16-jets-over-lca-tejas-veteran-iaf-marshal-explains--4726463.html
Why Argentina Picked US F-16 Jets Over LCA Tejas, Veteran IAF Marshal Explains
Why Argentina Picked US F-16 Jets Over LCA Tejas, Veteran IAF Marshal Explains
Sputnik India
Argentina has signed a ‘Transfer to Third Parties (TPT)’ agreement with the US to finalize the acquisition of 38 second hand F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Danish Air Force.
2023-10-11T09:35+0530
2023-10-11T09:35+0530
2023-10-11T09:35+0530
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This month, reports in Argentinian media revealed that Argentina has officially signed an agreement with the US known as the 'Transfer to Third Parties (TPT)' to complete the purchase of 38 pre-owned F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Danish Air Force.Besides the F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon, other contenders for the $664 million bid were India’s first indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Chinese JF-17 ‘Thunder Block’ and Russian Mig-35 fighter aircraft, reports have revealed.The LCA Tejas is a state-of-the-art fighter aircraft developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the esteemed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This outstanding machine is a single-engine, fourth plus-generation, multirole light fighter jet. It is considered as the "lightest multirole supersonic aircraft" among its peers globally.The latest variant of the LCA Tejas, the Mk-1A, is equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR), according to the Indian Defence Ministry.Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has been actively promoting Indian defence exports under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, told the Parliament last year that six countries—USA, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia and Philippines—originally expressed an interest in acquiring the Indian LCA.However, as of today, foreign orders still elude LCA Tejas.Decision to Acquire Fighter Jets Based on Many Factors: India’s Veteran Air MarshallThe IAF veteran added that he had no doubt about the “export potential” of LCA Tejas.He identified three key factors: foreign policy, promoting and marketing the fighter jets by the exporting country, and controlling the supply chain.Foreign Policy FactorBoth India and Argentina support reforms of global governance institutions and have been stronger supporters of the decolonisation process. New Delhi also backs Argentina in its long-running dispute with the United Kingdom over sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands in the South Atlantic, currently controlled by the UK.Supply Chain Reliability for After Sale ServiceNevertheless, Matheswaran emphasized that the "management of the supply chain" is likely the most crucial element that will be considered by any government when they attempt to procure fighter jets from foreign countries.He further added that there should be no or minimal “import dependency” in the supply chain.Matheswaran elaborated on the impressive features of the LCA Tejas, highlighting its distinctive components such as the imported engine, expertly crafted by General Electric, and the cutting-edge Israeli radar system.“Argentina should feel confident that supply chain control won't be affected if it bought Tejas from India,” Matheswaran noted.He used India's previous experiences with the French authorities and companies as an example, specifically mentioning the acquisitions of Mirage fighter jets and the recent Rafale fighter jet deal. In the latter, the Indian Air Force purchased 36 fly-away condition jets under a government-to-government contract.
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Why Argentina Picked US F-16 Jets Over LCA Tejas, Veteran IAF Marshal Explains
The LCA Tejas, a fighter jet developed domestically in India, has been making significant efforts to secure its first international contract. Several countries have shown interest in this Indian aircraft.
This month, reports in Argentinian media revealed that Argentina has officially signed an agreement with the US known as the 'Transfer to Third Parties (TPT)' to complete the purchase of 38 pre-owned F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Danish Air Force.
The Argentine government's decision is seen as an "acceptance of the conditions" proposed by the US, almost two years after the Argentine Ministry of Defence officially announced its decision to purchase new fighter jets.
Besides the F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon,
other contenders for the $664 million bid were India’s first indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Chinese JF-17 ‘Thunder Block’ and Russian Mig-35 fighter aircraft, reports have revealed.
The LCA Tejas is a state-of-the-art fighter aircraft developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the esteemed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This outstanding machine is a single-engine, fourth plus-generation, multirole light fighter jet. It is considered as the "lightest multirole supersonic aircraft" among its peers globally.
The latest variant of the LCA Tejas, the Mk-1A, is equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR), according to the Indian Defence Ministry.
Over 50 percent of the parts used to build the LCA Tejas are domestically sourced, according to available information.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has been actively promoting Indian defence exports under the
‘Make in India’ initiative, told the Parliament last year that six countries—USA, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia and Philippines—originally expressed an interest in acquiring the Indian LCA.
However, as of today, foreign orders still elude LCA Tejas.
Decision to Acquire Fighter Jets Based on Many Factors: India’s Veteran Air Marshall
Air Marshal M Matheswaran, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), told Sputnik India that a government's decision to import foreign fighter jets is based on many considerations.
The IAF veteran added that he had no doubt about the “export potential” of LCA Tejas.
"However, there are other important factors that play a major role in a country's decision to import a fighter jet from another country," said Matheswaran.
He identified three key factors: foreign policy, promoting and marketing the fighter jets by the exporting country, and controlling the supply chain.
“In the case of LCA Tejas, I see an alignment of sorts between the Indian and Argentinian foreign policies, especially after Buenos Aires acceded to BRICS grouping,” the IAF veteran stated.
Both India and Argentina support reforms of global governance institutions and have been stronger supporters of the decolonisation process. New Delhi also backs Argentina in its long-running dispute with the United Kingdom over sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands in the South Atlantic, currently controlled by the UK.
Supply Chain Reliability for After Sale Service
Nevertheless, Matheswaran emphasized that the "management of the supply chain" is likely the most crucial element that will be considered by any government when they attempt to procure fighter jets from foreign countries.
"The importing country must be confident that the supplier will be able to maintain the reliability of the supply chains that are critical to after-sales service," the former fighter pilot stressed.
He further added that there should be no or minimal “import dependency” in the supply chain.
Matheswaran elaborated on the impressive features of the LCA Tejas, highlighting its distinctive components such as the imported engine, expertly crafted by General Electric, and the cutting-edge Israeli radar system.
He also noted that more than a dozen of the Tejas' spare parts are of British origin, which may have influenced Argentina's decision to choose other jets over the Indian LCA.
“Argentina should feel confident that supply chain control won't be affected if it bought Tejas from India,” Matheswaran noted.
He used India's previous experiences with the French authorities and companies as an example, specifically mentioning the acquisitions of Mirage fighter jets and the recent Rafale fighter jet deal. In the latter, the Indian Air Force purchased 36 fly-away condition jets under a government-to-government contract.
"The IAF is confident of France's ability to maintain control of the supply chain, which is also based on the past track record of dealing with the French government and companies," Matheswaran said, adding that the LCA Tejas is yet to receive its first foreign order.
