Navy rules out deploying 'overweight' Tejas on aircraft carriers

The navy has ruled out deploying indigenously built light combat aircraft Tejas on its aircraft carriers, saying it is not being able to meet the requirements. Citing overweight as one of the reasons for ruling out Tejas for India's aircraft carriers Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said the navy is looking at procuring an alternative aircraft.

He said, as far as the carrier-based aircraft is concerned, Navy needs it in a time line of the induction of the aircraft carrier. He said we have the MiG 29K, which operates from Vikramaditya and will operate from (indigenous aircraft carrier)



IAC

Vikrant. Admiral Lanba hoped that LCA Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas will operate from these two aircraft carriers. He said that at the moment the navy is in the process of identifying the aircraft that will meet its requirements.

LCA-Tejas is an indigenously built fighter aircraft and has been inducted into the Indian Air Force. Admiral Lanba said the navy is still encouraging India's Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop the Naval LCA.