If we have to quote Adm Lanba in recent interview, here is something more.
So as per this statement, he too said what we are already saying all this time. Its not MkI which IN is interested in, but they are much more vested in MkII version.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/great-progress-made-in-coastal-security-post-26-11-terror-attack-says-navy-chief/story-EKRxuE44kyBLJgYDk39itN.htmlTo a question on the Navy’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project which denied induction of homegrown Tejas of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Admiral Lanba said the Indian navy was the first to support Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in developing the aircraft.
“We are committed to an Indian fighter aircraft which can operate from an aircraft carrier. What has happened with the LCA MK-I is (that) it doesn’t meet our requirement to be a carrier-based aircraft. It doesn’t have the correct power to thrust ratio,” he said.
The Indian Navy, however, continues to support and fund ADA and DRDO for developing a carrier-based aircraft, he said adding several Navy personnel are “embedded” in DRDO labs and working along with those scientists.
“So we are there for indigenisation, we are there to Make in India,” the naval chief added.
So as per this statement, he too said what we are already saying all this time. Its not MkI which IN is interested in, but they are much more vested in MkII version.