New Delhi, December 2The Indian Navy has ruled out deploying indigenously built light combat aircraft Tejas on its aircraft carriers because it was “overweight” and did not meet their requirements.Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, said the navy is looking at procuring another aircraft.”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.” Lanba said. “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.”He said that the navy was currently identifying an aircraft that would meet its requirements and was likely to take 5-6 more years.”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,” he said.LCA-Tejas is an indigenously built fighter aircraft and has been inducted into the Indian Air Force.Lanba said the navy is still encouraging India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop the Naval LCA.The naval chief said that it is also looking at UAVs that can operate from ships and autonomous sub-surface vehicles for surveillance. — PTI