2009年2月28日,印度第1艘国产航母“维克兰特”号在科钦船厂举行了龙骨铺设仪式,这意味着印度国产航母项目又迈进了一步。印度海军司令苏里什·梅赫塔表示,“随着国产航母项目的进行,印度成为继美、俄、英、法之后第5个有能力建造排水量40000吨以上航母的国家。”该航母将于2010年下水,之后进行舾装,2013年海试,预计2014年服役。 On February 28, 2009, India’s first domestic carrier, the “Vikrant”, held a keel laying ceremony at Cochin Shipyard, which means India’s domestic carrier project has taken another step forward. Suriname Mehta, commander of the Indian Navy, said: “With the progress of domestic aircraft carriers, India has become the fifth country in the world capable of building aircraft carriers of more than 40,000 tons after the United States, Russia, Britain and France.” Aircraft carrier will be launched in 2010, after outfitting, sea trials in 2013, is expected to serve in 2014.