India has proposed the sale of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Jetline Marvel reports.

This is part of the highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to Nigeria on November 12.

Also, India is extending a $200 million Line of Credit (LOC) to Nigeria to facilitate the procurement of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The tejas Mk1A serves as an advanced, cost-effective solution to replace Nigeria’s ageing Chengdu F-7NI fighter jets, which are increasingly considered outdated against modern threats.

The LCA-Tejas Mk1A is a state-of-the-art, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft. Its advanced avionics, lightweight design, and powerful weaponry position it as a formidable choice for nations seeking affordable yet capable air defense solutions.

India’s interest in supplying the hal tejas is part of a broader strategy to challenge the dominance of Russia and China in Africa’s defense sector. India and Nigeria share a robust economic relationship, with India emerging as Nigeria’s largest trading partner in 2021-22.

The potential sale of 15 tejas mark 1a fighter jets aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its defense readiness and modernize its military.

This recent development follows India’s active push to establish itself as a key defense supplier to Nigeria. In March 2024, a defense industry delegation visited Abuja to explore potential exports, including the LCA tejas fighter jet.

Nigeria has previously evaluated other Indian-made platforms such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand,’ the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Dhruv.’

India’s expanding defense engagement with Nigeria reflects its ambition to strengthen ties with Africa’s largest economy. With Nigeria looking to upgrade its military infrastructure, India’s competitive and reliable defense solutions offer a win-win partnership.