LCA Lands For First Time On Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant

The Indian Navy described the landing of a prototype of the Naval variant of the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Monday as a “historical milestone” for India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Separately, the Russian-made MiG-29K aircraft made its first landing on board INS Vikrant, the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier, according to officials.

The successful landing and take-off of the LCA prototype from INS Vikrant paves the way for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to develop and manufacture the ambitious twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy (HAL).

“A historical milestone achieved by Indian Navy towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat as naval pilots land LCA (Navy) on board INS Vikrant,” the Navy said in a brief statement.

The landing demonstrated India's ability to design, develop, build and operate indigenous aircraft carriers with indigenous fighter aircraft, according to the statement.

In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant (IAC I), bringing India into an elite group of nations capable of producing aircraft carriers weighing more than 40,000 tonnes. The Navy stated that the aircraft carrier would be able to help maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The Indian Navy takes a significant step towards operationalising the indigenous aircraft carrier with the successful landing of a MiG-29K on INS Vikrant by naval pilots, demonstrating India's prowess in aircraft carrier design, construction, and operations while enhancing Navy's combat readiness,” said Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal.

The LCA prototype and MiG-29K aircraft landed and took off as part of flight trials aboard the aircraft carrier. The Indian Navy currently has over 40 MiG-29K jets in service. According to officials, the air wing of INS Vikrant will be able to carry 30 MiG-29K fighter jets.

The Navy is currently acquiring 26 deck-based aircraft for INS Vikrant. The Navy has already decided on Boeing's FA-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation's Rafale M aircraft for procurement.

The INS Vikrant has over 2,300 compartments designed for a crew of approximately 1,700 people, including specialised cabins for female officers.

The carrier has a top speed of approximately 28 knots and a cruising speed of approximately 18 knots, with a range of approximately 7,500 nautical miles. It is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and 59 metres tall. Its construction started in 2009.

According to the Navy, the ship is powered by four gas turbines totalling 88 MW of power and has a top speed of 28 knots. Beginning in May 2007, the IAC project was carried out in three stages under a contract between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard. The keel of the ship was laid in February 2009.