KUALA LUMPUR
: India is hoping that its indigenously developed light combat aircraft
Tejas
will impress a global audience at Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), in Malaysia, even as there is talk that the Malaysian government may be interested in procuring the planes for its air force.
In a high stakes sales pitch, two Tejas fighter jets have arrived here with a team of 50, and are ready to demonstrate the LCA’s maneuverability and handling, along with aerobatics, in Langkawi, at the exhibition beginning March 26.
Talking to TOI, the defence attache at the Indian high commission in Kuala Lumpur, Aniruddh Chauhan said, “Tejas has been shortlisted by Malaysia amongst other aircrafts like the China-Pakistan built JF-17, and
South Korea
’s F/A-50 , but is perched comfortably as the favourite.”
Reports in the local media, however, suggest that PM Mahathir’s visit to
Pakistan may throw a spanner in the works. Experts believe LIMA’s projection on the global stage has increased correspondingly with China’s growing presence in
South China Sea. India has sent a delegation of 350 participants to LIMA 2019. India is also sending its secretary, defence production, for parleys with top brass of defence sector of Malaysia.
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