In a step that signifies India’s growing self reliance when it comes to the Navy, the first home-made aircraft carrier was formally launched out its dock Monday and is likely to join the fleet by 2018 after final fitting work and integration of all systems on board is completed. The warship, which has been named Vikrant after India’s first ever aircraft carrier that was inducted in 1961, is the largest ever to be built in India and marks an important milestone in ship-building. Once the 37,500-ton ship is ready for commissioning in 2018, India will join a select club of four nations — US, UK, France and Russia — that have the capability to build and operate warships of this size. The launch ceremony was held at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) with the ship entering the water for the first time since construction work started in 2009. There is, however, a long road ahead for the induction of the warship as 25 per cent of the structure is still to be erected at all internal systems and equipment need to be integrated, followed by extensive trials to test the warship. “Today’s event marks just the first step in a long journey but at the same time an important one,” Defence Minister Mr A K Antony said. Massive work is required to integrate all systems, even though the engines and gearbox have been put into place. Following the completion of the ship by the end of 2016, it will be handed over to the Navy for extensive trials that will see all its systems, particularly the landing and take off mechanisms, get tested. The ship is expected to be ready for induction into the Indian Navy by the end of 2018. While the cost of the project has not yet been revealed, the first phase — which has now ended with the formal launch — is believed to have cost Rs 15,000 crore. The total cost of the carrier is expected to be upwards of Rs 25,000 crore once it is fully equipped.
Source: Indian Express
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