Malaysia considering new multirole fighter jets, including the LCA-Tejas.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is likely to procure 30 lightweight multirole fighters to complement its fleet of F/A-18D and Su-30MKM aircraft and has therefore requested a bid for the Indian LCA-Tejas.

HAL LCA-Tejas at Defexpo 2018 in India (Picture source : Air Recognition)

Among the other aircraft that are candidates to acquire the contract, we may find the FA-50 (Korea Aerospace Industries), the JF-17 (Pakistan Aeronautical Complex), the Mig-35 (United Aircraft Corporation) and also JAS-39C/D Gripen (Saab).

The LCA Tejas is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter created by HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The Indian Air Force has already ordered 40 new LCA Tejas, including 20 FOC-configured aircraft and 20 IOC-configured aircraft. The Tejas are initially equipped with a NVG-compatible glass-cockpit, an infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor, some air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles and also different bombs.

Moreover have Sri Lanka, Egypt, UAE and Singapore evinced interest in the HAL LCA Tejas.