'Overweight' Tejas won't be deployed on aircraft carriers: Navy Chief

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New Delhi: The indigenously built combat aircraft Tejas won't be deployed on the aircraft carriers because of their heavy weight, the Navy said on Friday.

The naval force is now looking at procuring an alternative aircraft, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said.

"As far as the carrier-based aircraft is concerned, we need it in a time line of the induction of the aircraft carrier.

“We have the MiG 29K, which operates from Vikramaditya and will operate from (indigenous aircraft carrier) IAC Vikrant.

“"We were also hoping to operate the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas) from these two aircraft carriers.

"Unfortunately, the LCA is not being able to meet the carrier's required capability.

“That is why we need an alternative aircraft to operate from these two aircraft carriers," ANI quoted Lanba as saying.

"If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier capable aircraft sooner than later.

“So, I am looking at next five-six years," Lanba added.

LCA-Tejas is an indigenously built fighter aircraft and has been inducted into the Indian Air Force.