India launches first indigenous aircraft carrier

India's indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, is docked at the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kerala, on Aug 11, 2013. India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier Monday, which will put the country in the league of nations to have such a capability, a top defense official said.[Photo/Xinhua]

NEW DELHI - India on Monday launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier at the Kochi shipyard in the southern state of Kerala.

Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony's wife Elizabeth formally launched the 37,500-ton carrier, INS Vikrant, nearly six years after its production started, according to local TV channel Times Now.

Addressing the ceremony, Antony said India has become one of the nations which can produce indigenous aircraft carriers.

Describing the launch as the crowning glory of Indian Navy's indigenisation program, officials said the aircraft carrier will be re-docked being commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2018.