Tejas at Singapore Airshow 2022: Sale calls for full court diplomacy

While industry watchers rate the Tejas Mark 1A highly, there is concern over haste with which Indian team was despatched to Singapore; and a feeling that New Delhi is participating without clear aims

An Indian Air Force (IAF) detachment of Tejas Mark 1 fighters, supported by a 44-person team, is performing aerobatic displays over Changi International Airport in Singapore from Tuesday to Friday. This is one of the keenly watched attractions of the Singapore Airshow 2022.

The IAF team is there at Singapore’s invitation as a prospective vendor in “Capability 55” — the code name for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF’s) plan to buy 18 light fighters in the coming year and another 18 starting 2025. Malaysia will choose from a bouquet of light fighters on offer. Besides the Tejas Mark 1A,