NEW DELHI: After much delay, Indian navy is all set to launch its most ambitious project of building an indigenous aircraft carrier. Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee will cut the steel on April 11 at the Cochin shipyard signalling the start of work on the biggest ship to be built in this part of the world. Only three other nations have the capability to build ships of this size. The carrier is expected to be inducted into the naval fleet by 2012.

The 37,500 tonnes Air Defence Ship with two runways and a landing strip has been designed to operate MIG-29K and India’s own Light Combat Aircraft fighters. Vice chief of naval staff, vice admiral Yashwant Prasad said at New Delhi on Monday that while the designs have been made by Navy’s own design bureau, a leading Italian company will assist in the integration work.

The Italian company, M/s Fincantieri has entered into separate contracts with the Cochin Shipyard Limited and the Indian Navy. The contracts pertain to integrate the main propulsions system, making the engine room layouts and in preparation of the build specification for the ship. The contract for aviation facilities such as flight deck, hangar, aircraft lifts, ammunition lifts and aircraft launch and recovery systems has gone to the Russian companies.

No decision has been taken about the weapons systems to be installed in the vessel by the Navy. The Rs 3261 crore project got delayed as the Navy was unable to procure steal from the international market. It was negotiating with the Russian steel manufacturers, but the deal could not materialize.—By arrangement with AsianAge/Delhi