Now India joins the aircraft carrier club: New ship launched just days after Japan showed off its new destroyer
The INS Vikrant was launched at the Kochi shipyard in southern Kerala state on Monday
Indian Navy calls 37,000 tonne vessel its 'crowning glory' after steadily building up its naval capabilities
On Saturday, India activated an atomic reactor for its domestically built nuclear submarine
Comes days after Japan launched its destroyer and months after China acquired aircraft carrier
Britain said last November that its £280m-a-year aid programme to India would be halted in 2015
India has launched its first home-built aircraft carrier today as it continues to bolster its maritime presence.
It joins the U.S., Russia, France and Britain in building its own carrier, which was launched at the Kochi shipyard in southern Kerala state.
However, INS Vikrant stills needs to be outfitted and extensive trials will be held in 2016 before the carrier is inducted into the Indian navy in 2018.
Britain said last November that its £280million-a-year aid programme to India would be halted in 2015, in light of the country's booming economy.
