India launched its first indigenously built aircraft carrier from a shipyard Monday, marking its entry into a select group of countries in the world. The 37,500-ton INS Vikrant will go for extensive trials in 2016 before being deployed in 2018, Navy spokesman PV Satish said.
"It is essential that we retain and sharpen established designing capabilities, ship building technology, know-how and human resources to be able to produce quality and state-of-the-art warships in the years to come," Defence Minister AK Antony said at the launching in in the southern state of Kerala.
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Only the United States, Britain, Russia and France are capable of building a ship of that size and complexity, navy officials said. The 5-billion-dollar carrier is expected to hold a crew of 1,450, Russian-made Kamov helicopters, MiG 29K fighter jets and light-combat aircraft. It will be re-docked for outfitting and further construction.
The ship is 260 metres in length and 60 metres in breadth. It is designed to attain speeds in excess of 28 knots, or 56 kilometres per hour
wow dats impressive...Remain Nigeria now..
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