By IANS,
Kochi : India Saturday laid the keel of the country’s first aircraft carrier here, heralding the coming of age of the Indian Navy as a maritime power.
Speaking at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Defence Minister A.K. Antony described the occasion as a “historic moment for India”. “It is a crucial milestone and a moment to cherish in the country’s maritime history.”
The yard began steel cutting for the project in April 2005, after the government sanctioned the design in January 2003.
The planned ship will be 260 metres long and 60 metres wide and will be propelled by two LM2,500 gas turbines that will enable it to attain speed of over 28 knots.
It will also have two runways and a landing strip and carry a maximum of 30 aircraft.
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