New Delhi, August 1 (IANS): The navy will launch its first indigenous aircraft carrier August 12 at Kochi to make India only the fifth country in the world with the capability to build such vessels.

Talking to mediapersons here, the Indian Navy vice chief, Vice Admiral R.K. Dhowan, said that the 40,000 tonne indigenous aircraft carrrier (IAC) was one of its most prestigious warship projects and was unprecedented in terms of size and complexity.

The aircraft carrier has been designed by Indian Navy's design organisation and is being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Dhowan said the US, Russia, Britain and France have capacity to design and build aircraft carriers of 40,000 tonnes and heavier.

The ship will be launched by Elizabeth Antony, wife of Defence Minister A. K. Antony.

The minister will be the chief guest at the function.

The aircraft carrier would have two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrester wires capable of operating a STOBAR (short take off but arrested delivery) aircraft mix including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, the MiG-29K combat jets and a range of helicopters.

"The carrier will be equipped with a long range surface-to-air missiles (LR SAM) system with multi-function radar and close-in weapons system (CIWS)," Dhowan said.

After its launch, the carrier will be redocked at Cochin Shipyard for erecting the superstructure and and installing its equipment and for the remaining underwater work.

Dhowan said major outfitting work will be completed by 2016, after which extensive sea trials will be conducted.

The carrier is expected to be delivered to the navy in 2018, he added.

The production of the IAC commenced in 2006. It is being built using high-strength steel developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Steel Authority of India Limited.