Tejas aircraft emerges as top choice for Malaysia’s fighter jet programme
The HinduIndia’s light combat aircraft, Tejas, has emerged as the top choice for Malaysia as the Southeast Asian nation looks at replacing its ageing fleet of fighter jets and the two sides are holding negotiations to take forward the procurement process. Mr. Madhavan said Tejas is a much superior aircraft compared to JF-17 and FA-50 and that the selection of the Indian aircraft would provide Malaysia with the option to go in for future upgrades of the fleet. Asked whether the supply of Tejas jets to the IAF will be impacted by the Malaysian contract, Mr. Madhavan said production of the aircraft would be ramped up depending on the requirement. Mr. Madhavan said if the deal with Malaysia is sealed, then it will signal the acceptability of the aircraft which would result in the opening up of many other options.