On 11th January 2020, NP-2 – the second prototype of India’s Naval Light Combat Aircraft (N-LCA) – successfully landed aboard the INS Vikramaditya. One day later, the same aircraft successfully launched from the carrier using its ski-jump ramp.
These two steps are major milestones in the development of the aircraft and are indicative of the increasing confidence of the aircraft’s design agency – the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
It is expected that the first prototype of the N-LCA, NP-1, which is a two-seat trainer variant, will also join the carrier trials program as early as the week of the 13th January 2020.
At present, while fully supporting the development and test program of the N-LCA, the Indian Navy does not envision deploying the aircraft from carriers as it prefers a more powerful twin-engine aircraft to supplement its existing force of 44 MiG-29Ks.
Another version of the aircraft, the HAL Tejas, is in service with the Indian Air Force with 16 aircraft serving with No. 45 squadron and an additional 16 under construction to be followed by 83 of an improved Mk.1A variant.
