There has been huge cost overalls and delay in the delivery of the ship, whose repair and refitting work began in April 2004.
The ALH will be used for coastal security and maritime patrolling besides search and rescue, he said.
India had launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in August, thus joining the elite club of nations with the capability of designing and building a warship of this size and capability.
The ship is expected to be ready for trials in 2016 and is likely to be inducted into Navy by 2018.
