Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) 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 the South American country’s armedforces.

• The LoI was signed by Jorge Taiana, Argentina’s defence minister, and CB Ananthakrishnan, CMD of HAL, in the presence of Francisco Cafiero, secretary of international affairs, Javier Gobbi, Argentina’s ambassador to India, Dinesh Bhatia, Indian ambassador to Argentina, and other senior officers from the Argentinian sideand HAL, the PSU said.
• Taiana, who spent several hours at HAL in Bengaluru on Thursday, was quoted as saying that the day was a step on the road to an ever growing and strong collaboration with the PSU.
• The defence minister and his team viewed the flying display of various HAL products at HAL Airport before visiting the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Helicopterdivisions. 
• HAL said the Argentinian team “evinced keen interest in HAL products”.