India's first Naval Light Combat Aircraft, the LCA (Navy) NP1, rolled out in Bangalore today. Present on the ocassion, Defence Minister A K Antony described it as a defining and a memorable moment as it will give boost to indigenisation. <br/><br/>An IAF Spokesperson said in New Delhi, the aircraft, which has been assembled at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility , is now ready to undergo systems integration tests, leading to ground runs, taxi trials and flights.The warplane has been developed under the prestigious Naval Programme of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).<br/><br/>Our correspondent reports ,the LCA (Navy) NP1 is the first indigenous effort to build a complete air element for the Navy. The aircraft will fly with US-made GE-F-404-IN20 engine and is specifically designed for ski jump take off and arrested landing, with high landing loads compared to its Air Force counterpart.<br/><br/>The development of LCA (Navy) NP1 and its fighter counterpart (NP2) is aimed at providing a formidable platform with a higher thrust engine and an optimised mass for suitable replacement to the ageing Sea Harriers at a later date. <br/><br/>The aircraft, with considerable technology and punch for years to come, is being designed to operate from the future indigenously built aircraft carriers the Navy plans to acquire. The event was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma, Secretary (Defence Production) and top officials of HAL and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).