The Navy has ruled out deploying the indigenously built light combat aircraft Tejas on its aircraft carriers, saying it is "not being able to meet requirements".
Citing the fact that it is "overweight" as one of the reasons for ruling out Tejas for India's aircraft carriers, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, said the Navy is looking at procuring an alternative aircraft.
Lanba said that the Navy was hoping to operate the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) – Tejas from Vikramaditya and subsequently from the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant.
Unfortunately, the LCA is not able to meet the carrier’s required capability. That is why we need an alternative aircraft to 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.
If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier capable aircraft sooner than later. So, I am looking at next five-six years.
LCA–Tejas is an indigenously built fighter aircraft that has been inducted into the Indian Air Force.
Lanba said the Navy is still encouraging India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop the Naval LCA.
He said that the Navy is also looking at Unmanned Aerial Vehicles which can operate from ships and autonomous sub-surface vehicles for surveillance.
(With inputs from PTI)
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