India is eager to join the exclusive club of countries who build and export fighter jets with the hope of consolidating strategic ties with buyer countries. India has been trying to pitch the Tejas, its indigenously built light-combat aircraft, to countries such as Argentina and Egypt. Its efforts to export fighter jets are aimed at trying to counter China's influence, and fighter jet deals are often marked by a characteristic secrecy since the aircraft is customised according to the buyer's special needs.