CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -New Delhi: In a major boost for the indigenous defence manufacturing capability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to place orders worth around ₹45,000 crore with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL ) to acquire 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighters.

Detailed explanation-2: -This leaves just four countries in total – Malaysia, Egypt, Argentina and the United States – that could currently be considered potential customers of the Tejas aircraft.

Detailed explanation-3: -The USA, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt, Argentina, and the Philippines are among six countries, which have shown interest in India’s Tejas aircraft while Malaysia has already shortlisted the jet under its acquisition program.

Detailed explanation-4: -Six countries-USA, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia and Philippines-have shown interest in the indigenously manufactured light combat aircraft Tejas, even as India has decided to sell 18 of them to Malaysia, the government told Parliament on Friday.

Detailed explanation-5: -Still, the fact is, Tejas has not managed to bag a single export deal so far. Recent reports show that the US and Australia have not accepted India’s Tejas aircraft.