In a historic first, LCA undertook its maiden landing on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant as part of sea trials. “Excellent! The efforts towards Aatmanirbharta are on with full vigour,” PM Modi said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded historic landing of Tejas on INS Vikrant (Photo: File/PTI)

By India Today Web Desk: The Naval variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) made its maiden landing onboard the country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), INS Vikrant on February 6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter over the historic landing of Tejas on INS Vikrant and said “efforts towards Aatmanirbharta are on with full vigour”.

“Excellent! The efforts towards Aatmanirbharta are on with full vigour,” PM Modi said in a tweet on Wednesday.

In a historic first, LCA undertook its maiden landing on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, in a feat described by the Indian Navy as a ‘historical milestone’ for India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

“From 240 Kmph to 0 Kmph in just 2.5 Seconds. The magnificent Tejas landed on INS Vikrant for the first time as a part of sea trials,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said in a tweet.

“Historical milestone achieved towards #AatmaNirbharBharat by #IndianNavy as Naval Pilots carry out landing of LCA(Navy) on @IN_R11Vikrant. Demonstrates #India’s capability to design, develop, construct & operate #IndigenousAircraftCarrier with indigenous Fighter Aircraft,” Indian Navy spokesperson tweeted.

Separately, the Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft also undertook a maiden landing on board INS Vikrant, officials told news agency PTI.

The successful landing and take-off of the LCA prototype from INS Vikrant is set to pave the way for the development and manufacturing of the ambitious twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

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In September, PM Modi commissioned INS Vikrant (IAC I) that made the country part of an elite group of nations capable of manufacturing aircraft carriers above 40,000 tonnes category. The Navy had said the aircraft carrier would be able to play a role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

LCA Tejas is a 4.5 generation, all weather and multi-role fighter aircraft. The aircraft is designed to be a multi-role aircraft capable of taking up offensive air support, close combat and ground attack role at ease. It is also designed to undertake Ground Maritime Operations, HAL said in a press statement.

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“The Indian Navy takes a significant step towards operationalising the indigenous aircraft carrier by successful landing of 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,” Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal told PTI.

The landing and take-off of the LCA prototype and MiG-29K aircraft came as part of flight trials on board the aircraft carrier. The Indian Navy currently operates over 40 MiG-29K jets. The air wing of INS Vikrant will be able to carry 30 MiG-29K fighter jets, according to officials.

(With PTI inputs)