The United States Navy has expressed interest in the naval variant of HAL's Light Combat Aircraft.The US Navy is believed to be hunting for 43 trainer aircraft.LCA-Navy MK-1 Project Director P Thangavel told Asianet Newsable, "We have got an enquiry from US Navy for the naval trainer vessel to train their pilots before going on the carrier. We have received RFI they have given some broad guidelines based on that we have presented the capabilities of our aircraft. We have sent RFI (Request For Information) to them six months back."
The US Navy had sought a clarification to which the DRDO has replied recently.The US Navy needs the trainer aircraft, which is capable of approaching the deck. LCA (Navy) has the carrier landing capability. On January 11, 2020, it had made successful landing on INS Vikramaditya.
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) required 43 trainer aircraft in an effort to replace Boeing T-45 Goshawk from its service.Besides the US, India has offered its indigenously-developed fighter to Malaysia, and has exhibited it at the Bahrain Air Show.In 2018, Sri Lanka and Egypt had shown interest in LCA Tejas.
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