Nigeria is one of the potential buyers of the Tejas fighter jet, a light combat aircraft developed and manufactured by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). The Tejas is a multi-role fighter jet that boasts of agility, advanced technology, and robust performance. However, the sale of the Tejas to Nigeria is far from certain, as the aircraft is still unproven in combat and faces competition from other suppliers.
India’s push for defence exports
India has been working diligently to increase its presence in the arms trade and compete with powerhouse nations like Russia and China. This ambition has seen India focus its efforts on selling its domestically produced weapons to African militaries, which are often unable to afford Western-made equipment. India has already had some success in this sector and is now looking to build upon this as it hopes to become a major player in African arms deals.
India is hoping to capitalize on its growing presence in Africa to not only sell more of its domestically produced hardware but also to gain access to new markets and further strengthen its global presence. India has already made strong inroads into the African arms market and is confident that, with the right strategies in place, it can become a major player in the sector and compete with Russia and China for arms deals.
India is keen to export its homemade fighter jets to boost its defence industry and increase its overseas defence sales especially in Africa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of $25 billion in defence exports by 2025, up from $8.6 billion in 2020. India is also looking to expand its strategic and military ties with African countries, where it faces rivalry from China and Russia.
The country aims to more than double its annual arms exports to $5 billion in the coming years from about $1.7 billion currently.
HAL, the state-owned aerospace company that produces the Tejas, is in talks with at least three countries – Nigeria, Philippines, and Argentina – to sell the fighter jets. Egypt has also shown interest in the Tejas, but the talks are at a preliminary stage. HAL chairman C. B. Ananthakrishnan said that the discussions with the potential buyers are progressing and that the company is opening offices in some overseas markets to facilitate the exports.
Nigeria’s defence needs and challenges
Nigeria is one of the largest and most populous countries in Africa, with a GDP of $477 billion and a population of 214 million. It is also one of the most troubled countries in the continent, facing security threats from various sources, such as the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, separatist movements, communal violence, and piracy.
Nigeria’s air force, which has a strength of about 15,000 personnel and 150 aircraft, is in dire need of modernization and expansion. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Nigeria’s air force inventory consists of mostly obsolete or aging platforms, such as the Alpha Jet, the F-7, and the MiG-21. Nigeria also operates only three JF-17 Thunders, a fighter jet jointly developed by Pakistan and China, which it acquired in 2018.
Nigeria’s interest in the Tejas stems from its long-standing military and diplomatic relations with India, which date back to the 1960s. India helped Nigeria establish its defence academy and naval college, and the two countries have cooperated in joint military training, exchange programmes, and UN peacekeeping operations. India and Nigeria have also exchanged best practices and discussions in the field of counter-terrorism, especially in the wake of the jihadist attacks that have affected both countries.
Why the Tejas sale is unlikely
Despite the close ties between India and Nigeria, the sale of the Tejas fighter jet to Nigeria is highly unlikely, for several reasons. First, the Tejas is still unproven in combat and has not been fully operationalized by the Indian Air Force. The Tejas has faced several delays and technical issues in its development, and has not yet achieved the final operational clearance (FOC) that certifies its readiness for combat. The Tejas is also yet to be equipped with some of the advanced weapons and systems that it is supposed to carry, such as the beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
The Tejas has been offered to Botswana, and Egypt but both countries rejected it, despite HAL offering to set up production facilities in Egypt for the Tejas Mk1A. Egypt instead chose the KAI FA-50/T-50 Golden Eagle jet, while Botswana likely opting for the SAAB JAS 29 Gripen.
Second, the Tejas faces competition from other suppliers, such as Russia, China, and the US, who have more established and reliable products in the market. Nigeria may prefer to buy more JF-17s from Pakistan, China’s J-10CE, which are cheaper and more compatible with its existing fleet. Nigeria may also consider buying the Su-30 or the MiG-29 from Russia, which are more powerful and versatile than the Tejas. Alternatively, Nigeria may opt for the F-16 from the US, which are more advanced and have better support and training packages.
Third, the Tejas may not suit Nigeria’s operational requirements and budget constraints. The Tejas is a light combat aircraft that is designed for air superiority and strike missions. Nigeria may need a more multi-role and adaptable aircraft that can perform various tasks, such as air defence, ground attack, reconnaissance, and maritime patrol. Moreover, the Tejas is not a cheap aircraft, as it costs about $40-60 million per unit, which may be too expensive for Nigeria’s defence budget, compared to $17-25 million for the Chinese JF-17.
The Tejas fighter jet is a remarkable achievement for India’s defence industry and a potential export item for India’s defence diplomacy. However, the Tejas is not a viable option for Nigeria, which needs a more proven, compatible, and affordable aircraft to modernize its air force and address its security challenges. Nigeria’s interest in the Tejas may be more of a diplomatic gesture than a serious purchase intention, and the sale of the Tejas to Nigeria is highly unlikely to materialize.
Also, the business could also be part of a larger $1 billion deal to boost the country’s defence industry. The deal, which was signed with the Managing Arm of the Military-Industrial Complex of the Indian government, will see the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) become 40% self-sufficient in local manufacturing and production of defense equipment by 2027.