Recently the Sri Lankan government made the announcement that it was seeking to procure between eight and 12 combat aircraft to replace its ageing air force assets.
This selection process can offer India a unique opportunity both to strengthen military ties with Sri Lanka as well as to make a breakthrough into the aviation export market.
What is India’s experience?
The sale of Dhruv helicopters to Ecuador was widely hailed.
However, after a number of crashes, the helicopters were withdrawn from use, citing, among other things, poor spares support from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The sale of Chetaks to Suriname was plagued by poor contract management and “financial and administrative obstacles” leading to a delay in delivery of the helicopters.
Subsequent supplies of aircraft have been gifts or heavily discounted sales of Chetak and Dhruv helicopters and Dornier Do-228 surveillance aircraft to the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Nepal and Bhutan.
What is the experience with Sri Lanka?
In the past, India had provided 24 L-70 guns, 24 battle-field surveillance radars, 11 upgraded Super Fledermaus radars, four Indra- I & II radars and 10 mine-protected vehicles to assist in the defence of SLAF air bases.
These proved useful against air attack by the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)’s air wing consisting of armed microlight aircraft as well as from LTTE infiltrators.
India is already a major supplier to the Sri Lankan Navy with two 105m Offshore Patrol Vessels under construction at Goa.
India is geographically proximate to Sri Lanka and Indian Air Force support facilities can be made use of.
Furthermore, India has had a somewhat low-key but nonetheless important role in equipping the SLAF.
What is India’s potential in arms export?
If the SLAF desire a supersonic multi-role aircraft, India’s Tejas Mk.1, despite its still being in the developmental phase, could be a viable option.
The aircraft has already demonstrated significant capabilities in the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles and the limited number of aircraft being sought by the SLAF lends itself to relatively easy accommodation with HAL’s production schedule and capacity.
On the other hand, if the SLAF is seeking a cost-effective multi-role aircraft with a relatively low operating cost – and is willing to forego the “prestige” of supersonic aircraft - then the BAE-HAL Advanced Hawk has the potential to meet this requirement.
The Advanced Hawk has significant combat capabilities with provision for Brimstone air-to-ground missiles and ASRAAM air-to-air missiles.
What is the way ahead?
If India is desirous of securing this order, it must not treat it as a purely transactional arrangement.
The export of Indian combat aircraft would be a major step forward for Indian arms exports and, as such, India should be flexible in respect of prices.
India should also not hesitate to offer attractive financing packages and lines of credit at low interest rates to encourage Sri Lanka to “buy Indian”
