India has launched an indigenously-built aircraft carrier, joining a small group of countries capable of building such a warship.The project is part of India's efforts to enhance its naval capabilities amid a growing regional rivalry with the other Asian giant, China.

　　一艘印度国产航空母舰下水，印度从此加入为数不多的有能力自制航母的国家行列。印度和另一个亚洲巨人中国在本地区的竞争日趋激烈，印度不断加强自身的海军能力。

　　Standing in front of the 37,500-ton warship decorated with flags and buntings in the southern city of Kochi on Monday, Defense Minister A.K. Antony called it a “red letter day [a day of special significance] for the nation.”

　　印度国产航空母舰“维克兰号”星期一（8月12日）在南部港口科钦下水。这艘37500吨的军舰挂满了旗帜和彩带。印度国防部长A.K.安东尼站在航母前说，这一天是国家的重大日子，要在印度的日历上标以红字。

　　There was an outpouring of national pride at the carrier's launch. India's biggest warship has been designed and built locally, making it the fifth country after Britain, France, Russia and the United States to do so.

　　航母下水在印度激发了爱国自豪感。这艘印度最大的军舰是由本国设计和制造的，这使印度继英国、法国、俄罗斯与美国之后，成为第五个拥有自制航母的国家。

　　The aircraft carrier is not yet operational. It will be fitted with advanced weaponry and undergo extensive sea trials before being put into service sometime around 2018.

　　这艘航母目前还没有作战能力。“维克兰号”将配备先进的武器系统并进行大量的海上试航，然后才能在2018年左右服役。

　　But defense analysts point out that New Delhi has beaten its regional rival, China, in building an indigenous aircraft carrier.

　　不过，国防分析人士指出，新德里造出了国产航母，这抢在了地区竞争对手中国的前头。

　　Uday Bhaskar, former director of the National Maritime Foundation in New Delhi, said it is the first time India has embarked on such an ambitious project.

　　新德里的前国家海事基金会主任乌代·巴斯卡尔说，这是印度首次投入如此雄心勃勃的工程。

　　“For a country that does not have any significant indigenous capability, we don't make a main battle tank, we don't make an artillery gun, we don't even make a personal weapon. Forget about trainer aircraft and jet aircraft. So against this backdrop, to come to a point where you are able to design a carrier, and bring it from keel to launch is, for India, a technological and industrial accomplishment of considerable significance,” said Bhaskar.

　　巴斯卡尔说：“印度没有任何重大的本土自制能力。我们没有造主战坦克，没有造大炮，甚至连单兵武器也不造，更不用提教练飞机和喷气式飞机了。在这一背景下，居然能够设计出一艘航母，制造出船身，让它下水，这对印度来说可是相当重要的技术和工业成就。”

　　Defense Minister Antony said India needs a strong navy to defend itself and will press ahead with developing its maritime capabilities.

　　国防部长安东尼说，印度需要一支强大的海军来保卫国家，并将继续发展本国的海上能力。

　　Vikrant's launch comes just two days after India announced that its first indigenously-built nuclear submarine was ready for war trials. That was described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a “giant stride” for the nation.

　　在“维克兰号”下水两天前，印度宣布本国制造的第一艘核潜艇已经做好了下海试航的准备。总理辛格描述说，那是印度迈出的“巨大步骤”。

　　India's efforts to boost its naval capabilities come amid a growing rivalry with regional power, China. One of the critical areas where they are competing for influence is the Indian Ocean region, a busy sea lane.

　　在新德里努力加强海军能力的同时，印度和地区强国中国的竞争不断加剧。两国争夺势力范围的关键区域包括印度洋地区。印度洋有着繁忙的海上通道。

　　Rahul Bedi in New Delhi is a defense expert with Jane's Defense Weekly. He said an aircraft carrier will help India project its power in the Indian Ocean, which he calls a potential zone of conflict between major powers. “The navy is one of the principal riders and game changers in this whole region. So this will significantly add punch to the Indian navy in the Indian Ocean region, which is going to be a zone of competition for many, many years to come,” he said.

　　新德里的拉胡尔·贝迪是《简氏防务周刊》的一位防务问题专家。他说，航空母舰将帮助印度在印度洋投射实力。他说，印度洋是主要大国之间的潜在冲突区。贝迪说：“在整个地区，海军是主要的参与者和游戏改变者之一,所以这会显著增强印度海军在印度洋地区的打击能力。在很多年之后，印度洋地区将是一个竞争区。”

　　India has one aircraft carrier in operation, and Russia is due to deliver another one later this year.

　　印度已经拥有一艘具有作战能力的航空母舰，俄罗斯计划在今年晚些时候再向印度交付一艘航母。