-Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed an MoU for establishing an office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace
-Aerospace giant preparing for likely success in exporting Indian Tejas Mark 1A fighter
Bengaluru, NFAPost: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed an MoU for establishing an office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
The office in Malaysia will help HAL in tapping the new business opportunities for Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT) LCA and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades, the Bengaluru-headquartered company said in a statement.
“It will reinforce commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia”, it said.
HAL had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia, during October 2021 for supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF.
“The final winner of the tender is expected to be declared soon by Malaysian authorities. LCA Tejas stands a fair chance of selection in the bid as it meets all the parameters sought by RMAF,” according to HAL.
Further, being one of the largest producers of Russian origin Su-30 aircraft, HAL said it has capabilities to extend the required support to RMAF for Su-30 MKM fleet which is facing low serviceability issues due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.
HAL can support RMAF for upgrading their Hawk fleet as well. Other HAL platforms like HTT-40, Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) have the potential to be inducted by RMAF in future, the statement said
“Considering the above factors, HAL’s office in Kuala Lumpur will take up market promotion of HAL’s range of products and services not only in Malaysia but in the entire South East Asia,” HAL said. The office will also contribute in increasing serviceability of existing platforms being operated by RMAF and for neighbouring Air Forces in the region, it was stated.
The MoU was signed by GM, LCA, HAL, Ravi K and Major (R) Mohd Husairi Bin Mat Zain of Forte Drus, the official representative of HAL in Malaysia.
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, High Commissioner of India in Malaysia, B N Reddy and Additional Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjay Jaju, were among those present on the occasion.
HAL signs agreement to export weaponry
With Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) having fielded the Tejas Mark 1A fighter in a Malaysian tender for 18 fighter lead-in trainers (FLITs), the company is preparing for what would be the first success in exporting the Indian fighter.
The Bengaluru-headquartered aerospace giant announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its representative in Kuala Lumpur, called Forte Drus, for tapping new opportunities in exporting weaponry to Malaysia.
“The office in Malaysia will help HAL in tapping the new business opportunities for Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT), LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Sukhoi-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades,” said HAL.
“HAL had submitted a proposal to Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia during October 2021 for supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF. The final winner of the tender is expected to be declared soon by Malaysian authorities. LCA Tejas stands a fair chance of selection in the bid as it meets all the parameters sought by RMAF,” said a HAL media release on Thursday.
In addition to offering the Tejas LCA in Kuala Lumpur’s global tender for 18 advanced jet trainers, HAL sees business opportunities in Malaysia for maintenance and upgrade of their Sukhoi-30MKM and Hawk trainer fleets.
“Further, being one of the largest producers of Russian origin Sukhoi-30 aircraft, HAL has capabilities to extend the required support for RMAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKM fleet, which is facing low serviceability issues due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis,” said HAL.
HAL has also offered to support the RMAF for upgrading their Hawk fleet. Other HAL platforms like HTT-40 basic trainer, Dornier-228 light maritime reconnaissance aircraft, Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) have the potential to be inducted by RMAF in the future says HAL.
Considering these factors, HAL’s office in Kuala Lumpur plans to take up market promotion of the company’s products and services in Malaysia, and across the South East Asian region.
“It will reinforce commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia,” said HAL.
The RMAF tender is for 18 fighters with an option for 18 more. This would be an inviting first export order for the Tejas.
According to the Malaysian news media, the other contestants in the fray are: Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 Thunder, Russia’s MiG-35, China’s Catic, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50, Turkey Aerospace industries (TAI) Hürjet, and Italy’s Leonardo with the M-346.
Aerospace industry analysts say price will be an important issue for the RMAF, which is expecting to pay in the region of $900 million for 18 fighters, or $50 million per fighter. It is understood that HAL is offering the Tejas at that price.
The Korean fighter is understood to be slightly more expensive than the Tejas and the Russian MiG-35 far more so. Meanwhile, the Chinese are believed to have slashed the price of the JF-17 by about 30 per cent, a loss it will bear in order to capture the market.
