Why in news? In a major milestone, the naval variant of the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) landed on the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

Highlights

• This is also the maiden landing of a fixed-wing aircraft on the carrier.
• The LCA’s feat was followed by the landing and take-off by a twin-engine MiG-29K fighter jet.
• It demonstrates India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate IAC with indigenous fighter aircraft.

About INS Vikrant

• INS Vikrant is an aircraft carrier constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at Kerala for the Indian Navy.
• It is named Vikrant as a tribute to India’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant (1961), that played crucial role in the 1971 war
• It is the first aircraft carrier built in India and built completely using domestically produced steel
• Top speed of around 28 knots (more than 50 kmph)
• Ship borne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630 , while it has MSFTAR and RAN-40 , 3D radars as sensor .
• The vessel has shakti EW ( Electronic Warfare) Suite

What it can carry?

• It can carry an air group of up to thirty-six aircraft, including 26 fixed-wing combat aircraft, and a mix of Dhruv MK-III, Sikorsky MH-60R and Kamov Ka-31 helicopters ,including both fighter jets and helicopters.