Nigeria in talks with India to procure fighter jets

Nigeria is actively engaged in negotiations with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of Tejas fighter jets.

The Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics, C. B. Ananthakrishnan, disclosed this on Thursday, according to Bloomberg.

The chairman of the military hardware manufacturer also mentioned Argentina, Egypt and the Philippines as countries they were discussing with to purchase these aircraft.

“Discussions with Nigeria, Philippines and Argentina to export the Tejas fighter jets are progressing, C. B. Ananthakrishnan,” chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics, told reporters in New Delhi.

“Egypt has also shown interest in the light combat aircraft but talks are at a preliminary stage,” he said.

According to its latest annual report, exports make up just one per cent of revenues for the fighter jet maker that had seen a surge in large orders from the Indian defence forces.

Hindustan Aeronautics is opening offices in some overseas markets and is engaging with the Nigerian Army Aviation and Argentine Air Force to train officers and supply spares to help boost exports.

The Nigerian Air Force struck a deal with an Italian defence company for the supply of 24 M-346 master aircraft.

The deal is said to be worth around €1.2bn.

The report noted that several prominent defence companies had been approached to provide the necessary munitions, missiles, precision-guided bombs, and rockets for the platforms.

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