Naval LCA:- India indigenous naval light combat aircraft

India’s first modern light combat aircraft (LCA), Tejas, is being built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy. The Tejas LCA was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency in Bangalore, India.

The aircraft may replace the MiG series currently operated by the IAF. The IAF has a requirement of 140 single-seat fighters and 20 two-seat LCA trainers for squadron service in the next ten years. It has already ordered 20 LCAs and received the first in January 2015.

Development is underway for the naval version of the LCA, which is intended for operations aboard the Vikramaditya, as well as the Vikrant-class indigenous aircraft carriers. Two naval prototypes will be manufactured and flown to obtain clearance for deck operations.

The Indian Navy Fully Satisfied the Naval Tejas which would be Operated from Both of their Future Carriers and Shore based Facilities. While Air force still insisting about Tejas It having problem unlike Naval Version it’s same but some Minor Modifications which suits Better for Naval Operation while Mig 29K is the Superior Platform having 7 Points where Naval Operated F 18 is the Top of the List while Air Force Variant of Tejas gets only 2 or 3 Points. Other case in the Naval Category Tejas Gets some 5 Points while adding some Anti Shipping Profiles which Leads or share the same as MiG 29K.

The Tejas having some Impressive Defensive Suites which can easily out perform Mig 29 and the Chinese Su 33 Clone I sure. the Su 33 can’t even Try to meet the LCA Navy in future Warfare.

The Role Naval LCA will perform in the Indian Carrier such as Vikrant

For CAP ( Combat Air Patrol )

The LCA can house two  pair of Israeli made Python Heat Seeking and Derby WVR  Missiles. or some Four Long Range Astra BVR having some 80 Kilometers Range along with decent Jamming and Defensive Suites the Tejas can Perform decent CAP over the Carrier battle Group for Some 400 Kilometer Circle and Flying over 2 hours Continuously along with the Support of one or Two Ka 27 Early warning Helicopters. Only It’s need a Buddy Refuel from an MiG 29 K which can refuel the LCA’s once Take off from the Carrier some 8 of the LCA Need 2 MiG 29 K Refueler to Complete the Task.

For SEAD/DEAD ( Suppression/Destroy Enemy Air Defence )

Simply at now the Tejas didn’t host any Anti Radiation Missile’s to Destroy Enemy Radar Sites. But some two pair of Mig 29 K can do this easily by Flying very Low Altitude and Firing the Kh 58 Anti Radiation Missiles. By Carrying Two Kh 58 along with two IR or WVR missiles .the Configuration sits best for Taking out the Enemy Coastal Defence Radar Networks and Be sure It’s not go deeply into enemy Territory

For CAS ( Close Air Support )

The LCA and the Mig 29 can provide Limited Close Air Support to the Insertion team. If Indian Navy Plans to send a Battalion of Marine Troops into some Enemy Territories If they need to Neutralize the Enemy Columns the LCA or the Mig 29 can do it to advance our Troops into Enemy Territory.This one can be Achieved by Variety of our Air Brigades from Indian Navy ranging from Tu 142 to LCA . the LCA can equipped with some Three MBDA Spear on it’s Both wings or Some three GBU in both Wings the Spear is a Guided Missile and the GBU is the Guided Bomb unit

For AShM ( Anti Shipping Missile )

The Primary objective of the Carrier Air wing is Destruction of Enemy ships from Stand Off Target.This one can be easily achieved by old Exocet Missiles to Newer Generation Harpoon Missiles Both of the LCA and MiG 29 K can carry some two of them along with AA Missiles.

Credit for Article:-sajeevpearlj