11.04.2005, 20:49
Zitat:India Begins To Build an Aircraft CarrierQuelle: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=778786&C=navwar">http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=778786&C=navwar</a><!-- m -->
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, NEW DELHI
India on April 11 began an eight-year project to build an aircraft carrier in its most ambitious military program to date, officials said.
Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee launched the construction of the 37,500-ton carrier at the state-run Cochin Shipyard in the southern state of Kerala, a naval spokesman said.
The carrier will carry 30 British- and Russian-made jet fighters as well as locally designed light combat aircraft that took India more than 22 years to develop.
Federal Shipping Minister T.R. Balu said the ship-building yard would complete the project and hand over the carrier to the 137-ship Indian navy by 2012.
“The project is strategically important for our defense and so we will complete it within the target period,” Balu said.