YEREVAN: Armenia has put talks on hold for buying India’s Tejas fighter jet after the aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Saturday, killing pilot Wing Commander Namansh Sial.
Armenia had been negotiating with New Delhi and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 12 jets worth $1.2 billion.
This would have been the first export deal for the Tejas, a project that India began back in 1982 as part of its push to boost its defence industry.
The jet was designed to replace ageing MiG-21s, which were finally grounded this year. So far, the Indian Air Force has received only 40 aircraft from the first batch.
India has now started producing 97 upgraded A1 variants. These models come with major enhancements, much of it based on Israeli technology.
The A1 version carries Elta-made AESA radar, an electronic warfare suite, Elbit’s new helmet-mounted display and Rafael’s Derby air-to-air missiles.
Investigators are still looking into the cause of the Dubai crash. Whether it was a technical fault or pilot error is unclear, but the incident has raised doubts about the jet’s image.
A cancellation of the Armenian deal could also cost Israel Aerospace Industries tens of millions of dollars.
