Life & times of INS Viraat, India & the world's oldest aircraft carrier
Written By Wion Web Desk
Published: Mar 05, 2017, 21:47 IST | Updated: Mar 05, 2017, 21:47 IST
INS Viraat was decommissioned today. She started serviced in 1959 with the UK's Royal Navy before being transferred to the Indian Navy in 1987
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INS Viraat is the flagship of the Indian Navy and was its oldest aircraft carrier till it remained in service. The Indian Navy wants to convert the s
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INS Viraat sailed for the last time under her own power from Mumbai to Kochi on July 23, 2016.
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INS Viraat spent 27 years in the Royal Navy of UK after it was commissioned in 1959. It was transferred to India in 1987.
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The effective life of any ship with the best of refits and repairs is about 40 years. The INS Viraat has beaten that estimate by a huge margin.
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The ship served the Indian Navy in various capacities including 'Operation Jupiter' where it was part of Indian Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka.
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It also played a key role in 'Operation Parakram' undertaken after the terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001.
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The aircrafts on board the INS Viraat included the BAE Sea Harrier, Alouette III, HAL Chetak and Westland Sea King.
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The Andhra Pradesh government has proposed to convert INS Viraat into a hotel and museum. The Ministry of Defence is expected to take a decision soon.
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INS Vikramaditya was brought in as a replacement for INS Viraat.
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