India Launches Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » AUGUST 9, 2013 by NEELAM MATHEWS A line-up of MiG-29Ks belonging to Indian Navy squadron 303, which was commissioned in late May for service aboard the INS Vikramaditya. (Photo: Indian Navy) August 9, 2013, 10:30 AM India will launch its 37,500-ton indigenous aircraft carrier ( IAC -1) on August 12 at the Cochin Shipyard in Kerala. The ship is scheduled for induction by the end of 2018. Meanwhile, the former Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , now the INS Vikramaditya, conducted final trials in the Barents Sea this week with its squadron of MiG-29K combat jets embarked. It is due to be delivered by year-end, after a delay of more than four years. Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design, the IAC -1 will be named INS Vikrant . It is 260 meters (850 feet) long and 60 meters (200 feet) wide. Powered by four gas turbines, it will be capab...