India’s little fighter jet Tejas is yet to be put into operational service after formal commissioning later this year. The aircraft took part at the Bahrain International Airshow in January, following which Egypt and Sri Lanka have expressed their interest asking for more information as potential buyers.
Sri Lanka recently aborted a plan to acquire JF-17 fighters, designed by China and built by Pakistan, while dismissing speculation that it was swayed by any diplomatic pressure from India. For India, the decision appears as a tactical victory in efforts to stave off Chinese influence with Indian Ocean nations.