BENGALURU: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday furthered its relationship with the Argentinian defence establishment with the signing of a letter of intent (LoI) with the country’s ministry of defence for productive cooperation and acquisition of light and medium utility helicopters for South American country’s armed forces.“The LoI was signed by Jorge Taiana, Argentinian defence minister and HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan in the presence of Francisco Cafiero, secretary of international affairs, Ambassador Hugo Javier Gobbi, Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia and other senior officers from Argentinian side and HAL,” the PSU said.Taiana, who spent several hours at HAL in Bengaluru on Thursday was quoted as having said that the day was a step on the road to an ever growing and strong collaboration with the PSU.

The Argentinian defence minister and his team viewed the flying display of various HAL products at HAL Airport before visiting the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Helicopter divisions.

HAL said the Argentinian team “evinced keen interest in HAL products”.While the LoI does not have any legal or financial bearing and only shows Argentina’s intent, HAL, however, is confident given that the country’s defence minister himself had led a delegation to the PSU.And as reported by TOI earlier, HAL, during the 2023 Aero India, signed a contract with the Argentinian Air Force (AAF) for supply of spares and engine repair of legacy two-tonne class helicopters.Ananthakrishnan had even said in February: “Argentina and Egypt have definitely shown interest in LCA Tejas.

Argentina also has seen two teams visit us and they are quite convinced about the product and quite happy about the product details.

Their airforce team has come and flown the aircraft also.

So, we are pursuing Argentina and want to start some sort of a relationship building.”TOI had reported on July 17 that Argentina wanted India to submit a formal proposal for its proposed acquisition of 16 Tejas fighters.

In June, ambassador to Argentina Dinesh Bhatia, along with a delegation from HAL had met Taiana as well as Argentine Air Force chief Brig General Xavier Isaac to showcase ‘Make in India’ defence production capabilities, especially the Tejas and Dhruv advanced light helicopters (ALHs).