Modi lauds Indian Navy for landing Naval variant of LCA for first time on INS Vikrant.
- Brahmastra Aerospace
- Feb 9, 2023
- 2 min read
"Atma Nirbhar Bharat achieved by Indian Navy as naval pilots carry out the landing of LCA (Navy) onboard INS Vikrant," the Navy said in a brief statement. According to the statement, the landing demonstrated India's capability to design, develop, build, and operate an indigenous aircraft carrier with indigenous fighter aircraft.
India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) prototype made its maiden landing on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier on Monday 6th February, marking a "historical milestone" for the country's self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The landing of the LCA prototype on the INS Vikrant paves the way for the development of the twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
The successful landing and take-off of the LCA prototype demonstrate India's capability to design, develop, construct, and operate indigenous aircraft carriers with indigenous fighter aircraft.
The Indian Navy also carried out a successful landing of the Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft on the INS Vikrant.
The aircraft carrier was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September and is set to play a role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The landing and take-off of the LCA prototype and the MiG-29K aircraft were part of flight trials on the aircraft carrier.
The Indian Navy is currently in the process of procuring 26 deck-based aircraft for the INS Vikrant and has narrowed it down to either the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet or the French aerospace major Dassault Aviation's Rafale M aircraft.
The INS Vikrant has a crew of around 1,700 people and is powered by four gas turbines with a maximum speed of 28 knots.
The IAC project has been implemented in three phases of a contract between the Ministry of Defense and Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
The ship's construction began in 2009 and was commissioned in September 2021.
In conclusion, the successful landing and take-off of the LCA prototype and the MiG-29K aircraft from the INS Vikrant mark a significant step towards operationalizing the indigenous aircraft carrier and demonstrates India's prowess in aircraft carrier design, construction, and operations while enhancing the Navy's combat readiness.
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