India launched its first home-built aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, today - which is valued at $2.5billion
* India launched the $2.5billion INS Vikrant today after an 18-year production
* Prime Minister Modi said: 'It's a historic day and landmark achievement'
* Ship weights 47,400 tons and can carry a crew of 1,600 and 30 aircraft
* China launched its third aircraft carrier in June and is expanding its fleet India has launched its first home-built aircraft carrier as the nation looks to counter
China's much larger growing naval fleet. The $2.5billion (£1.86billion) INS Vikrant is India's second operational aircraft carrier - joining the Soviet-era INS Vikramaditya it purchased from Russia in 2004 to defend the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.
The new 262-metre (860 foot) carrier was designed by the Indian navy and built at the Cochin shipyard in southern India.
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India launches Its First Home-Built Aircraft Carrier As China Concerns Grow
India launches new aircraft carrier as China concerns grow -- Defense News/AP
India Launches First Home-Built Aircraft Carrier Amid China Concerns -- VOA
India Inducts Second Aircraft Carrier as Seas Get Militarized -- Bloomberg
India unveils first homemade aircraft carrier, with eye on China -- Gulf Times
INS Vikrant: Inside India's newly-commissioned aircraft carrier -- BBC
India's first homegrown aircraft carrier puts it among world's naval elites -- CNN