Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the defence ministry of Argentina have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on July 20, 2023 on productive cooperation and acquisition of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters for its armed forces.
The Bengaluru based defence PSU said in a statement that the LoI was signed by Mr Jorge Taiana, Argentine Defence Minister and Mr C B Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL in presence of Mr Francisco Cafiero, Secretary International Affairs, Ambassador Hugo Javier Gobbi, Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia and senior officers from Argentinian side and HAL.
The Argentine Defence Minister remarked that the day was interesting and a step on the road to an ever growing and strong collaboration with HAL.
India pitched the LCH to Argentina last month. A team from HAL was in Argentina to negotiate with the Argentinian Air Force to make a pitch for its LCH, along with its indigenously developed LCA Tejas fighter jets.
The team consisted of the Indian Ambassador to Argentina, Dinesh Bhatia, and officials of HAL met the FAA Chief Brigadier General Xavier Isaac.
Argentinian Defense Minister Taiana and Secretary of International Affairs for Defense Francisco Cafiero began their India visit on July 18. Besides meeting Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the Argentinian team is visiting the Indian defense companies to explore the purchase of LCA Tejas and BrahMos.
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