India introduced the country's first aircraft carrier aimed at protecting the country from China and Pakistan, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"I think it's great," analyst and former Indian chief of naval staff R. H. Tahiliani told the Times. "It should have come much earlier, but better late than never."
The $5 billion ship named Vikrant or "courage" won't be able to be used for many years the Times reported.
The craft must first become equipped with electrical cables, ventilation, weaponry, machinery before a series of "sea trials" can take place in 2016 the Times reported. The aor will then be formally introduced into the country's navy in 2018 the Times reported.
The 37,500 ton, 853 foot long, and 196 foot-wide ship was uncovered at a ship yard in the country's southern port, Kochi, the Times reported.
"It's a very big landmark in India's indigenization program for warships," New Delhi-based independent defense analyst Ajai Shukla told the Times. "This started in 1961 with a small boat and has been building for some time."
According to the Times, the country has been pondering the vessel since the 1990s which is three years overdue. When it finally sets its course, the country's second aircraft carrier will help it gain more dominance in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal over rivals Pakistan and China.
The ship will have 25 to 30 aircraft including a Russian-made Mig-29k light combat aircraft, and Kamov 31 multi-function helicopters the Times reported.
Eighty to ninety percent of the liner was produced at the domestic level with the mechanics of the vessel calculating out to sixty percent, according to the Times. The aircraft, and other other weapon systems were 30-percent produced at the local level.
