India launched its first ever indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi on 12th August. As per the ship launching tradition, the ship was launched by Elizabeth Antony, the wife of Defence Minister, A. K. Antony. A strong and vigilant Navy is needed to keep the coast line, island territories and sea lanes of communication open in the interest of the nation. Indian Navy must continue to maintain high operational readiness at all times, to ward off any likely misadventures against our national interests. It should have the capability and technology, to match the best in the world.
It was truly a historic moment for both the country's ship building industry and the Indian Navy as the first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant was launched at the Cochin Shipyard. The launch has catapulted the country into a select group of nations with the capability to design and build such massive aircraft carriers. Major outfitting work of the vessel is scheduled to be completed by 2016. INS Vikrant has a length of 260 metres and it is 60 metres wide. It is behind schedule by three years. Vikrant is scheduled for extensive trials in 2016 before being inducted into the Navy by 2018 end.
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