TSAMTO, April 7. As expected, in the near future, a group of representatives of the Malaysian Air Force will arrive in India to evaluate the LCA "Tejas" light combat aircraft in the Mk.1A version.
According to the Economic Times, citing knowledgeable sources, a team of experts from Malaysia is likely to remain in Bangalore for two months, depending on travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will take a detailed look at the production facilities of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Indian side will also demonstrate the combat potential of the aircraft.
An Economic Times source claims that the Indian LCA has become the main contender in the Malaysian Air Force tender for the purchase of a new light combat aircraft, as it is offered at the lowest price, is more modern and has greater capabilities than the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 "Thunder".
India offers the LCA Mk.1A with a state – of-the-art active array radar with electronic scanning (AESA), new avionics, and the ability to integrate a wide range of weapons in a potential export order, which provides for the purchase of 12 aircraft in the first stage and another 24 units-by option.
In addition to comprehensive training support for both technical and flight personnel, India has proposed the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul center for a potential LCA fleet in Malaysia.
The Indian aircraft is valued at just over $ 42 million per unit. This cost was made possible by taking into account the savings due to a recent large order from the Indian Air Force for 83 fighters.
As previously reported by TSAMTO, the Malaysian Air Force in 2019 announced the start of a project for the purchase of light combat aircraft / TCB fighter pilot training (LCA/FLIT)to replace a number of platforms in service. On the slide from the briefing, 8 candidate aircraft were demonstrated to replace the Hawk TCB, MiG-29 and MB-339 that are in service. In addition, the slide presented information about possible options for replacing the existing F/A-18 Hornet and Su-30,which will be withdrawn from service later.
In particular, the FA-50 Golden Eagle of South Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), Tejas of Indian Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), M-346 of Italian Leonardo, L-39NG of Czech Aero Vodochody, L-15A/B of Chinese CAC, JF-17 of Pakistani-Chinese development, Gripen of Swedish Saab and Russian Yak-130 are considered as candidates for the supply of the LCA/FLIT aircraft.
