Major boost for Indian Navy as US to release EMALS technology to India for aircraft carriers

In a major move that will greatly boost the capabilities of Indian Navy, the Trump administration has decided to share the crucial Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) with India for the Indian Navy's future aircraft carrier.

India had sent a letter of request to the US government for the Electromagnetic Launch System (EMLAS) built by General Atomics for aircraft carrier planned by the Indian Navy during the tenure of Barack Obama.

The decision has come ahead of the visit of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to India the formal date of which will be announced soon.

Due to its flexible architecture, EMALS can launch a wide variety of aircraft weights and can be used on a variety of platforms with differing catapult configurations. 

Aerospace expert Dr Vivek Lall, chief executive, US and International Strategic Development, of General Atomics had told PTI earlier that General Atomics is planning to open an office in Delhi to support the Indian government's military requirements.

The Indian Navy plans to integrate the US-made EMALS catapults into its future supercarriers.