View source for INS Viraat

{{Short description|Centaur-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = INS Viraat front view.jpg
| Ship caption = INS ''Viraat'' (R22) in 2002
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = India
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|India|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Viraat''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship acquired = May 1987
| Ship commissioned = 
| Ship recommissioned = 12 May 1987<ref name=indiannavy/>
| Ship decommissioned = 6 March 2017
| Ship maiden voyage = 
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 23 July 2016
| Ship renamed = 
| Ship reclassified = 
| Ship refit = April 1986, July 1999, Mid-2003-November 2004, August 2008-November 2009, November 2012-July 2013
| Ship struck = 
| Ship reinstated = 
| Ship homeport = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
| Ship identification = [[Pennant number]]: R22
| Ship motto = ''Jalameva Yasya, Balameva Tasya'' ([[Sanskrit]]: "He who rules over the seas is all powerful")
| Ship nickname = ''Grand Old Lady''<ref>{{Cite news|title=INS Viraat sails to Kochi for repairs, dry-docking|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ins-viraat-sails-to-kochi-for-repairs-dry-docking/articleshow/53361648.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=24 July 2016|date=24 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727181918/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ins-viraat-sails-to-kochi-for-repairs-dry-docking/articleshow/53361648.cms|archive-date=27 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| Ship honors = 
| Ship captured = 
| Ship fate = Scrapped at Alang, 2021.
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = 
| Ship honours = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = United Kingdom
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
| Ship name = [[HMS Hermes (R12)]]
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship owner = 
| Ship operator = 
| Ship registry = 
| Ship route = 
| Ship ordered = 1943
| Ship awarded = 
| Ship builder = [[Vickers-Armstrong]]
| Ship original cost = 
| Ship yard number = 
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 21 June 1944
| Ship launched = 16 February 1953
| Ship sponsor = 
| Ship christened = 
| Ship completed = 
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship commissioned = 25 November 1959
| Ship recommissioned = 
| Ship decommissioned = 1984
| Ship maiden voyage = 
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship renamed = 
| Ship reclassified = 
| Ship refit = 
| Ship struck = 1985
| Ship reinstated = 
| Ship homeport = [[HMNB Portsmouth]]
| Ship identification = [[Pennant number]]: R12
| Ship motto = 
| Ship nickname = 
| Ship honors = 
| Ship captured = 
| Ship fate = Sold to India in 1986
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = 
| Ship honours = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = [[Centaur-class aircraft carrier|Centaur-class]] [[light aircraft carrier]]
| Ship type = 
| Ship tonnage = 
| Ship displacement = *23,900 tons standard
*28,700 tons full load
| Ship length = {{convert|226.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|48.78|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{convert|8.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power = 
| Ship propulsion = 2 × Parsons geared steam turbines; 4 boilers with 400 psi, {{convert|76,000|shp|kW|abbr=on}}
| Ship sail plan = 
| Ship speed = {{convert|28|kn|km/h}}
| Ship range = {{convert|6500|mi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|14|kn|km/h}}
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship test depth = 
| Ship boats = 
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship troops = 
| Ship complement = *Maximum 2,100;
*1,207 ship's crew,
*143 air crew
| Ship crew = 
| Ship time to activate = 
| Ship sensors = *1 × BEL/Signaal RAWL 02 air radar
*1 × RAWS 08 air/surface radar
*2 × BEL Rashmi navigation radars
*1 × EL/M-2221 STGR fire control radar
*1 × Plessey Type 904 radar
*1 × FT 13-S/M Tacan system
*'''Sonar:'''
*1 × Graseby Type 184M hull-mounted sonar
| Ship EW = *1 × BEL Ajanta ESM
*'''Decoy:'''
*2 × Knebworth Corvus chaff launchers
| Ship armament = *2 × 40 mm [[Bofors]] AA guns
*16 × [[Barak SAM]] VL cells
*2 × twin [[AK-230]] CIWS
| Ship armour = 
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = *Up to 26 aircraft, including
* 16 × [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier]] FRS51
* 4 × [[Westland Sea King]] Mk.42B-C
* 2 × [[HAL Chetak]]
* 4 × [[HAL Dhruv]]
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
'''INS ''Viraat''''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|Virāṭa]] meaning ''Giant'') was a [[Centaur-class aircraft carrier|Centaur-class]] [[light aircraft carrier]] of the [[Indian Navy]]. INS ''Viraat'' was the [[flagship]] of the Indian Navy until {{INS|Vikramaditya}} was commissioned in 2013. The ship was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the Royal Navy's {{HMS|Hermes|R12|6}}, and decommissioned in 1984. She was sold to India in 1987. INS ''Viraat'' was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987,<ref name=indiannavy>{{cite web|title=Surface Ships|url=http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/naval-fleet/ships?page=0,1|work=[[Indian Navy]]|access-date=23 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004145613/http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/naval-fleet/ships?page=0%2C1|archive-date=4 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and served for almost 30 years.

In February 2015, the Navy stated that ''Viraat'' would be decommissioned the following year.<ref name="decom">{{cite news|first=S|last=Anandan|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-to-be-decommissioned-in-2016/article6884261.ece|title=INS Viraat to be decommissioned in 2016|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=12 February 2015|access-date=13 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713201837/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-to-be-decommissioned-in-2016/article6884261.ece|archive-date=13 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The last British-built ship serving with the Indian Navy, she was the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world. On 23 July 2016, ''Viraat'' sailed for the last time under her own power from [[Mumbai]] to [[Kochi]], where she was dry-docked and prepared for decommissioning.<ref name="last_journey"/> She was towed out of Kochi on 23 October, returning to Mumbai on 28 October, where she was laid up.<ref name="decommissioned_January"/> ''Viraat'' was formally decommissioned on 6 March 2017.<ref name="bows_out">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-bows-out-of-service/article17416652.ece|title=INS Viraat bows out of service|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-08|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014812/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-bows-out-of-service/article17416652.ece|archive-date=28 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After the failure of plans to convert her into a hotel and museum, she was sold for scrap and planned to be broken up beginning in September 2020, but the scrapping was [[Stay of execution|stayed]] by the [[Supreme Court of India]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=INS Viraat's Dismantling Kept On Hold, Supreme Court Notice To Owner|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aircraft-carrier-ins-viraats-dismantling-kept-on-hold-by-supreme-court-notice-issued-to-company-that-bought-it-for-scrap-2367281|access-date=2021-06-23|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> after 40% of the body had already been scrapped.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{Cite news|title=INS Viraat now private property: SC|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-now-private-property-sc/article34244872.ece|access-date=2021-06-27|website=thehindu.com}}</ref>

==Design==
INS ''Viraat'' had a 12° [[Aircraft ski-jump|ski jump]] to operate the [[Sea Harrier]] along with a reinforced flight deck, and {{convert|1.2|in|cm|0}} of armour over the magazines and machinery spaces. The magazine capacity included at least 80 lightweight [[torpedo]]es. The vessel retained commando transport capability for up to 750 troops and carried four [[LCVP landing craft]] in the aft section.<ref>{{Cite book|title=China and the Asia-pacific Region: Geostrategic Relations and a Naval Dimension|first=Jae-Hyung|last=Lee|page=174|year=2003|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-0-595-26043-0}}</ref> In a wartime scenario, the ship could carry up to 26 combat aircraft and was suited for supporting [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious operations]] and conducting [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] operations.

===Aircraft===
The aircraft on board INS ''Viraat'' were operated by four squadrons of the Naval air arm of the Indian Navy:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Air squadrons
|-
! Squadron !! Name !! Aircraft
|-
| [[INAS 300]] || White Tigers || [[BAE Sea Harrier]]
|-
| [[INAS 552]] || The Braves || [[BAE Sea Harrier]]
|-
| [[INAS 321]] || Angels ||  [[Alouette III]] <br> [[HAL Chetak]]
|-
| [[INAS 330]] || Harpoons || [[Westland Sea King]]
|}

Primary strike aircraft have been the Sea Harriers operating several modern missiles such as the British anti-ship Sea Eagle missile,<ref name ='Hir 287.'>Hiranandani 2000, p. 287.</ref>  and the French [[R.550 Magic|Matra Magic]] missile for air-to-air combat.<ref name ='Hir 154.'>Hiranandani 2012, p. 154.</ref> Other ordnance has included 68&nbsp;mm rockets, runway-denial bombs, cluster bombs, and podded 30&nbsp;mm cannon.<ref name ='Hir 154.'/> In 2006, the Indian Navy started the 'Limited Upgrade Sea Harrier (LUSH)' program by upgrading up to 15 Sea Harriers in collaboration with [[Israel]] by installing the [[Elta Systems|Elta]] [[EL/M-2032]] radar and the [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.|Rafael]] 'Derby' medium-range air-to-air BVR missile.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Indias-Sea-Harrier-Shortage-04774/ |title= India's Sea Harrier Shortage |publisher= Defense Industry Daily |date= 2 November 2010 |access-date= 31 December 2013 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131231015052/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Indias-Sea-Harrier-Shortage-04774/ |archive-date= 31 December 2013 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3480072 |title= Indian Sea Harrier Tests BVR Missile |first= Vivek |last= Raghuvanshi |publisher= Defense News |date= 16 April 2009 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170424003929/http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/06/tech-entrepreneur-wants-to-rescue-falklands-flagship-hms-hermes-from-the-scrap-heap |archive-date= 24 April 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

The fleet also consisted of [[Kamov Ka-31|Kamov Ka-31 Helix-B]] airborne early warning aircraft and [[Kamov Ka-27|Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A]] helicopters.

All Sea Harrier operations from the deck of INS ''Viraat'' ceased on 6 May 2016 following the retirement of Harrier fleet.

==Operational history==
===Royal Navy===
{{Main article|HMS Hermes (R12)}}
INS ''Viraat'' was originally commissioned by the British [[Royal Navy]] as {{HMS|Hermes|R12|6}} on 18 November 1959, 15 years after she was laid down in June 1944. She served as the flagship of the Royal Navy's task force during the [[Falklands War]] in 1982 and was decommissioned from active duty in 1985. In April 1986, ''Hermes'' was towed from Portsmouth Dockyard to Devonport Dockyard to be refitted, re-activated and sold to India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://navaltoday.com/2016/03/07/one-sailor-dead-three-injured-after-fire-breaks-out-on-indian-aircraft-carrier/ |title=One sailor dead, three injured after fire breaks out on Indian aircraft carrier |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=2016-03-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309211628/http://navaltoday.com/2016/03/07/one-sailor-dead-three-injured-after-fire-breaks-out-on-indian-aircraft-carrier/ |archive-date=9 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Indian Navy===
After evaluating vessels from several countries, the [[Indian Navy]] purchased the vessel in April 1986 and gave her an extensive refit at [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]] in [[Plymouth]], England, to allow for continued carrier operations into the next decade.<ref>{{Cite book|page=[https://archive.org/details/navalarmstrade00anth/page/135 135]|title=The Naval Arms Trade|first=Ian|last=Anthony|publisher=SIPRI|year=1990|isbn=978-0-19-829137-4|url=https://archive.org/details/navalarmstrade00anth/page/135}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5|first=Indu|last=Ramchandani|publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2000|isbn=978-0-85229-760-5}}</ref> New fire control equipment, navigation radars, improved [[NBC (weapon)|NBC]] protection, and deck landing aids were installed in this refit. Boilers were converted to operate on [[fuel oil|distillate fuel]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Aircraft Carriers|first1=Chris|last1=Bishop|first2=Christopher|last2=Chant|publisher=MBI Publishing Company LLC|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7603-2005-1}}</ref>

''India Today'' in 1988 reported that then Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]] went to the [[Bangaram Atoll]] in [[Lakshadweep]] on a holiday with his family and other prominent politicians and media persons on board the INS Viraat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pratap |first1=Anita |title=Idyllic vacation for the Gandhis in the Lakshadweep archipelago |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19880131-idyllic-vacation-for-the-gandhis-in-the-lakshadweep-archipelago-769007-2013-11-21 |access-date=10 May 2019 |work=India Today |date=31 January 1988 |language=en}}</ref> The allegation has been refuted by a retired Indian Navy officer, [[Commodore (India)|Commodore]] Ajay Chitnis, who was involved in planning former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's 1987 Lakshadweep trip.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha-2019/story/rajiv-gandhi-ins-viraat-lakshadweep-commodore-ajay-chitnis-1521766-2019-05-10 Rajiv Gandhi did not misuse INS Viraat: Navy officer who planned former PM's Lakshadweep trip]</ref>

In September 1993, the engine room of the ship was flooded, putting the vessel out of service for several months. The vessel was back in service in 1995 and was fitted with a new search radar. Between July 1999 and April 2001, the ship completed another life-extension refit expected to extend her serviceability until 2010. This refit upgraded propulsion systems, added a package of sensors to sound emergency alerts and introduced modern communication systems. In addition, a long-range surveillance radar, weapon systems, and a new hangar with fire curtains were installed.

The ship underwent a fourth refit in Indian service from January to August 2009 at [[Cochin Shipyard]], [[Kochi, India|Kochi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ins-viraat-out-of-dry-dock-to-sail-to-gulf-of-aden-soon_1283177|title=INS Viraat out of dry dock, to sail to Gulf of Aden soon|newspaper=DNA|date=26 February 2011|access-date=12 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031093525/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ins-viraat-out-of-dry-dock-to-sail-to-gulf-of-aden-soon_1283177|archive-date=31 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The refit was expected to ensure her continued service in the Indian Navy until 2015, and the ship went through exercises in the [[Arabian Sea]] for a month and a half before being deployed to the [[Gulf of Aden]].<ref>{{cite news|author=IANS|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article4365.ece|title=INS Viraat refit complete, gears up for golden jubilee|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 August 2009|access-date=26 February 2011|location=Chennai, India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807031252/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article4365.ece|archive-date=7 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Navy officers later reported that the carrier might be kept in service until 2020, as two Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (IACs) seemed likely to be fully operational by then.<ref name="SP">{{cite web|url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htnavai/articles/20090820.aspx|title=Naval Air: Where There Were None, Now There Is One|publisher=Strategypage.com|date=20 August 2009|access-date=26 February 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108154403/http://strategypage.com/htmw/htnavai/articles/20090820.aspx|archive-date=8 November 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/ins-viraat-refit-complete-gears-up-for-golden-jubilee_100233596.html/|title=INS Viraat refit complete, gears up for golden jubilee|first=Ritu|last=Sharma|work=Indo-Asian News Service|date=17 August 2009|access-date=14 October 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927015734/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/ins-viraat-refit-complete-gears-up-for-golden-jubilee_100233596.html|archive-date=27 September 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 12 July 2011, the ship arrived at Cochin shipyard for a short refit scheduled to be completed in two months and it was repainted. Indian Navy indicated that the ship could remain in service until 2020, provided that there are still Sea Harriers available for ship-borne operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/navy-to-operate-viraat-aircraft-carrier-for-another-decade/articleshow/7320975.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|title=Navy to operate Viraat aircraft carrier for another decade|date=19 January 2011|access-date=12 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015003600/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/navy-to-operate-viraat-aircraft-carrier-for-another-decade/articleshow/7320975.cms|archive-date=15 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 2 November 2012, the ship arrived in Kochi for the first part of a major two-phase refit. In the first phase, the hull was cleaned, probed for corrosion, worn hull plates were reinforced and received a fresh coat of corrosion-resistant paint.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-arrives-in-kochi-for-periodic-refit/article4059156.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|title=INS Viraat arrives in Kochi for periodic refit|date=3 November 2012|access-date=16 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403041853/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-arrives-in-kochi-for-periodic-refit/article4059156.ece|archive-date=3 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The carrier sailed to Mumbai for further upgrades to her machinery before rejoining the fleet in the summer of 2013. The refit would enable her to serve through 2016 and was the final major refit before her decommissioning.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/major-repairs-for-the-ins-viraat-its-replacement-delayed-again-by-russia-339905|work=[[NDTV]]|title=Major repairs for the INS Viraat, its replacement delayed again by Russia|date=8 March 2013|access-date=16 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112045619/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/major-repairs-for-the-ins-viraat-its-replacement-delayed-again-by-russia-339905|archive-date=12 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In August–September 2015, the ship underwent a short refit to reinforce her hull and inspection before her participation in the International Fleet Review in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/ins-viraat-to-have-short-refit/article7457329.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|title=INS Viraat to have short refit|date=24 July 2015|access-date=16 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014812/http://www.thehindu.com/news/ins-viraat-to-have-short-refit/article7457329.ece|archive-date=28 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Decommissioning===
By 2013, ''Viraat''{{'}}s age and cost of maintenance prompted the navy to begin the process to obtain Defence Ministry clearance for her decommissioning;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131204/jsp/nation/story_17641840.jsp#.UqnxrOJckxY|title=Navy plans nuke-powered carrier|work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)]]|date=12 March 2013|access-date=12 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208150217/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131204/jsp/nation/story_17641840.jsp#.UqnxrOJckxY|archive-date=8 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in December 2014, a review board was established to determine the ship's continued service life.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abplive.in/india/2014/12/03/article448907.ece/Navy-technical-board-to-assess-service-life-of-INS-Viraat|title=Navy technical board to assess service life of INS Viraat|date=4 December 2014|access-date=18 January 2015|newspaper=ABP|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118164253/http://www.abplive.in/india/2014/12/03/article448907.ece/Navy-technical-board-to-assess-service-life-of-INS-Viraat|archive-date=18 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Aerial photo of INS Viraat.JPG|thumb|INS Viraat prior to retirement]]
In February 2015, the navy announced plans to decommission the ship in 2016 and began the process to obtain Defence Ministry clearance for the carrier's decommissioning.<ref name="decom"/> On 23 July 2016, ''Viraat'' sailed from Mumbai to Kochi for the last time under her own steam; by then, she had spent a total of 2,250 days at sea and had steamed a total of 1,094,215 kilometers.<ref name="final_journey">{{cite news|title=INS Viraat sails on final journey from Kochi to Mumbai for decommissioning|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2016/oct/23/ins-viraat-sails-on-final-journey-from-kochi-to-mumbai-for-decommissioning-1530997.html|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=23 October 2016|access-date=23 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023201606/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2016/oct/23/ins-viraat-sails-on-final-journey-from-kochi-to-mumbai-for-decommissioning-1530997.html|archive-date=23 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> At Kochi, she underwent a month-long deactivation in preparation for decommissioning; during this period, her boilers, engines, propellers and rudders were removed.<ref name="last_journey">{{cite news|title=INS Viraat's last journey|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-embarks-on-farewell-voyage-to-kochi/article8890882.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=23 July 2016|access-date=23 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723233943/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-embarks-on-farewell-voyage-to-kochi/article8890882.ece|archive-date=23 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=INS Viraat's last journey commences|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/INS-Viraat-sets-sail-for-the-last-time/articleshow/53354614.cms|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=23 July 2016|access-date=23 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723145431/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/INS-Viraat-sets-sail-for-the-last-time/articleshow/53354614.cms|archive-date=23 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Deactivation was completed on 4 September, and the carrier was towed back to Mumbai on 23 October for her formal decommissioning ceremony.<ref name="final_farewell">{{cite news|title=INS Viraat's final farewell set in Mumbai|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/ins-viraats-final-farewell-set-in-mumbai/article9146018.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 September 2016|access-date=7 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925013417/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/ins-viraats-final-farewell-set-in-mumbai/article9146018.ece|archive-date=25 September 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="final_journey"/> ''Viraat'' arrived in Mumbai on 28 October and was laid up.<ref name="decommissioned_January">{{cite news|first=Vinaya|last=Deshpande|url=http://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/7122-ins-viraat-reaches-mumbai-set-be-decommissioned-january|title=INS Viraat reaches Mumbai, set to be decommissioned in January|newspaper=The Sunday Guardian Live|date=29 October 2016|access-date=30 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031025457/http://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/7122-ins-viraat-reaches-mumbai-set-be-decommissioned-january|archive-date=31 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 6 March 2017, she was decommissioned.<ref name="bows_out"/> ''Viraat'' was formally decommissioned on 6 March 2017.<ref name="bows_out"/><ref>Indian Navy ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' June 2017 page 15</ref> Her weapons systems and operational equipment were to have been removed by mid-2017.

==Preservation plans==
In July 2015, it was announced that the ship would be transferred to the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] for conversion into a [[museum ship]] at a cost of {{INRConvert|20|c|0}}; [[Chandrababu Naidu]], the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, confirmed the plans on 8 February 2016.<ref name="handover">{{cite news|first=C.H.R.S.|last=Sarma|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/ins-viraat-to-be-handed-over-to-ap-govt/article8209603.ece|title='INS Viraat' to be handed over to Andhra Pradesh after decommissioning|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 February 2016|access-date=15 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014812/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/ins-viraat-to-be-handed-over-to-ap-govt/article8209603.ece|archive-date=28 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Indian carrier Viraat 'de-operationalised'|url=http://www.janes.com/article/57905/indian-carrier-viraat-de-operationalised|work=Janes|access-date=12 May 2016|date=11 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315222956/http://www.janes.com/article/57905/indian-carrier-viraat-de-operationalised|archive-date=15 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Indian Navy's aircraft carrier INS Viraat may be modified into a luxury hotel|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsindian-navys-aircraft-carrier-ins-viraat-may-be-modified-into-luxury-hotel-4807555|work=Naval Technology|date=11 February 2012|access-date=11 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416121129/http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsindian-navys-aircraft-carrier-ins-viraat-may-be-modified-into-luxury-hotel-4807555|archive-date=16 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=INS Viraat: A warship that will soon be converted into a hotel!|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ins-viraat-a-warship-that-will-soon-be-converted-into-a-hotel/1/592235.html|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=11 May 2016|date=11 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315130122/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ins-viraat-a-warship-that-will-soon-be-converted-into-a-hotel/1/592235.html|archive-date=15 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> By April 2016, however, the plans had apparently fallen through.<ref name="handover"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=INS Viraat is up for grabs, but so far no takers|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ins-viraat-is-up-for-grabs-but-so-far-no-takers-2204782|newspaper=DNA|access-date=12 May 2016|date=2 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526175359/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ins-viraat-is-up-for-grabs-but-so-far-no-takers-2204782|archive-date=26 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A British businessman's proposal to preserve the ship failed when its crowdfunding campaign failed to make a tenth of its goal and it was stated that if ''Viraat'' was not to be preserved, she would be scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/hms-hermes-repatriation/? |title=HMS Hermes repatriation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tech entrepreneur wants to rescue Falklands' flagship HMS Hermes from the scrap heap|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/06/tech-entrepreneur-wants-to-rescue-falklands-flagship-hms-hermes-from-the-scrap-heap|website=MercoPress|access-date=23 April 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424003929/http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/06/tech-entrepreneur-wants-to-rescue-falklands-flagship-hms-hermes-from-the-scrap-heap|archive-date=24 April 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 1 November 2018 the [[Maharashtra]] cabinet approved the conversion of ''Viraat'' into India's first moored maritime museum and marine adventure centre, to be located near [[Nivati fort|Nivati]], [[Sindhudurg district]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jain |first1=Bhavika |title=INS Viraat to be turned into maritime museum|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ins-viraat-to-be-turned-into-maritime-museum/articleshow/66469224.cms |access-date=2 November 2018 |work=Times of India |agency=TNN |date=2 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=INS Viraat to get 2nd life as maritime museum |url=http://www.asianage.com/metros/mumbai/021118/ins-viraat-to-get-2nd-life-as-maritime-museum.html |access-date=2 November 2018 |work=The Asian Age |date=2 November 2018 |location=New Delhi}}</ref> This proposal, which included a hotel, did not attract tenders because of high cost,<ref>{{cite news |first=Bhavika |last=Jain |agency=TNN |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/plans-to-turn-ins-viraat-into-museum-hotel-run-aground/articleshow/70181705.cms |title=Plans to turn INS Viraat into museum-hotel run aground |newspaper=Times of India |date=12 July 2019 |access-date=1 September 2020 }}</ref> and the state government abandoned it in November 2019.<ref name=Econ>{{cite news |first=Rashmi |last=Rajput |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/as-scrap-retired-naval-aircraft-carrier-viraat-finds-no-takers/articleshow/72862015.cms |title=As scrap, retired Naval aircraft carrier Viraat finds no takers |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=1 September 2020 }}</ref>

After an expert committee determined ''Viraat''  's structural deterioration made her preservation unviable, the union government decided to scrap her and held an online auction;<ref name=Econ/><ref name="Alang_dismantling">{{cite news|title=INS Viraat set for dismantling at Alang yard|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-set-for-dismantling-at-alang/article32716233.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=28 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in July 2020, Gujarat-based shipping firm Shri Ram Shipping purchased the ship from the Metal Scrap Corporation for {{INRConvert|38.54|c|0}}.<ref name="Alang_dismantling"/> She was scheduled to be dismantled at [[Alang Ship Breaking Yard|Alang]] starting in September 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/08/26/like-indias-1st-aircraft-carrier-steel-from-scrapped-viraat-may-be-used-for-bikes.html |title=Like India's 1st aircraft carrier, steel from scrapped Viraat may be used for bikes |website=The Week |date=26 August 2020 |access-date=1 September 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ins-viraat-decommissioned-three-years-ago-to-be-dismantled-at-alang-in-gujarat/articleshow/77739691.cms |title=INS Viraat, decommissioned three years ago, to be dismantled at Alang in Gujarat |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=25 August 2020 |access-date=1 September 2020 }}</ref><ref name="AMirror820">{{cite web |title=Iconic INS Viraat to be dismantled at Alang |url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/columns/the-informer/iconic-ins-viraat-to-be-dismantled-at-alang/articleshow/77711135.cms |website=Ahmedabad Mirror |access-date=29 August 2020 |date=24 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="IExpress820">{{cite web |last=Nair |first=Avinash |title=INS Viraat to be broken at Alang and sold as scrap |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ins-viraat-to-be-broken-at-alang-and-sold-as-scrap-6568260/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=29 August 2020 |date=24 August 2020}}</ref> On 19 September 2020, ''Viraat'' was towed from her berth at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard to the scrappers at Alang in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, reaching the port at Alang on the evening of 22 September.<ref name="Alang_dismantling"/>

On 28 September, ''Viraat'' was beached at Alang. At the end of September, a private Mumbai-registered company, Envitech Marine Consultants Private Limited, offered to purchase the ship from Shree Ram Shipping and preserve her as a museum and tourist centre, to be provisionally berthed at Goa. The Goa state government gave its support provided the project was approved by the Ministry of Defence, the necessary clearances were obtained and the state would incur no financial obligations. Shree Ram Shipping offered to sell ''Viraat'' to Envitech for {{INRConvert|100|c|0}}, provided the firm receive the clearances and assume all cost and risk.<ref name="100_crore">{{cite web |last=Nair |first=Avinash |title=Rs 100 cr, multiple clearances required to save INS Viraat |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rs-100-cr-multiple-clearances-required-to-save-ins-viraat-6657376/|website=The Indian Express |access-date=1 October 2020 |date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Discussions were in progress as of 1 October.<ref name="100_crore"/>

On 10 February 2021 a Supreme Court hearing stayed the dismantling of the ship. The Court heard that Envitech proposed to purchase the ship for RS 100 cr and sought responses from Shree Ram Shipping and the Ministry of Defence.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-stays-dismantling-of-decommissioned-aircraft-carrier-ins-viraat-101612940015755.html |title=Supreme Court Stays Dismantling Of INS Viraat |website=Hindustan Times |date=10 February 2021 |access-date=21 February 2021 }}</ref> On 10 April 2021, the Supreme Court informed counsel for Envitech that INS Viraat had already become private property of Shree Ram Group; who had testified that 40% of the ship had already been broken,<ref name="thehindu.com"/> and on 12 April 2021 the petition was dismissed saying it was too late since 40% of the ship had been dismantled.<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ins-viraat-40-dismantled-cant-convert-it-into-museum-says-sc/articleshow/82029848.cms INS Viraat 40% dismantled, can't convert it into museum, says SC]Times of India 12 April 2021</ref>

There is a plan to have two of INS ''Viraat'''s anchors displayed at the Port Museum in Alappuzha, which is being developed.<ref>{{Cite news|title=INS Viraat's anchor to be part of Port Museum?|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2021/jun/04/ins-viraats-anchor-to-be-part-of-port-museum-2311483.html|access-date=2021-06-27|website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:May 1986. HMS Hermes passing Plymouth Hoe on her way into Devonport Dockyard for reactivation and service with the Indian Navy.jpg|''Hermes'' enters [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]] to begin a refit following her purchase by India
File:INS Viraat (ex HMS Hermes), sailing from Devonport Dockyard to begin her service with the Indian Navy.jpg|''Viraat'' departs Devonport on her delivery voyage to India.
File:US Navy 070907-N-8591H-194 F-A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter Squadron 102, F-A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter Squadron 27, Indian Navy Sea Harriers, Indian Air Force Jaguars over INS Viraat (R 22), Malabar 07-2.jpg|Indian Navy Sea Harriers and Indian Air Force [[SEPECAT Jaguar]]s with US Navy [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18 Super Hornets]] flying over INS ''Viraat''
File:Indian Navy's aircraft carriers INS Viraat and Vikramaditya.jpg|INS ''Viraat'' (top) escorting the Indian Navy's newly acquired aircraft carrier {{INS|Vikramaditya||2}} during the latter's delivery voyage
File:INS Viraat leaving Mumbai harbour for one last time under own power (1).jpg|''Viraat'' departs [[Mumbai]] under her own power for the last time in July 2016 en route to [[Kochi]].
File:INS Viraat Sails on her own Steam for One Last Time.jpg|INS ''Viraat'' sails under her own steam for the last time.
</gallery>

==Commanding officers==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|- style="background:#cccccc"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 400px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 600px;" | Notes
|- 
|1
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] Vinod Pasricha {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|12 May 1987
|15 December 1988
|Commissioning CO. Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]] and [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|2
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Madhvendra Singh]]
|15 December 1988
|30 August 1990
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|3
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Arun Prakash]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|VrC|VSM}}}}
|30 August 1990
|26 December 1991
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|4
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] Madanjit Singh 
|26 December 1991
|21 March 1993
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]] and
[[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|5
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] Yashwant Prasad 
|21 March 1993
|28 September 1994
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].
|-
|6
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Jagjit Singh Bedi]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|28 September 1994
|13 October 1995
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].
|-
|7
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Vijay Shankar (admiral)|Vijay Shankar]] 
|13 October 1995
|8 November 1996
|Later Commander-in-Chief, [[Strategic Forces Command]] and [[Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command]].
|-
|8
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Nirmal Kumar Verma]] 
|8 November 1996
|13 December 1997
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|9
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] S. K. Damle {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|NM|VSM}}}}
|13 December 1997
|15 June 2000
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].
|-
|10
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[R. F. Contractor]]
|15 June 2000
|18 December 2001
|Later [[Director General of the Indian Coast Guard]].
|-
|11
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Devendra Kumar Joshi]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|NM|VSM}}}}
|18 December 2001
|7 January 2003
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|12
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Anil Chopra (admiral)|Anil Chopra]]
|7 January 2003
|6 January 2004
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]] and [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|13
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Pradeep Chauhan]]
|6 January 2004
|31 May 2005
|Later [[Commandant of Indian Naval Academy]].
|-
|14
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Surinder Pal Singh Cheema]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|6 January 2004
|31 May 2005
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|15
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Girish Luthra]]
|31 May 2005
|1 August 2007
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|16
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Abhay Raghunath Karve]]
|1 August 2007
|27 December 2008
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].
|-
|17
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Anil Kumar Chawla]]
|27 December 2008
|6 August 2010
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].
|-
|18
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[R. Hari Kumar]]
|6 August 2010
|15 November 2011
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|19
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Ajendra Bahadur Singh]]
|15 November 2011
|1 June 2013
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|20
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Biswajit Dasgupta]]
|1 June 2013
|1 June 2015
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]].
|-
|21
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Rajesh Pendharkar]]
|1 June 2015 
|13 July 2016
|Current [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]].
|-
|22
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[Puneet Chadha]]
|13 July 2016
|26 February 2017
|Later Additional Director General of the [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]].
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[List of aircraft carriers]]
* {{INS|Vikrant|1961}}
* {{INS|Vikramaditya}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|INS Viraat (ship, 1953)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311135105/http://indiannavy.nic.in/viraat.htm Indian Navy]
*[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Active/183-INS-Viraat.html ''INS Viraat'' - Bharat Rakshak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220055737/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Active/183-INS-Viraat.html |date=20 December 2016 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190702015247/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/020719/centre-rejects-andhra-pradeshs-viraat-plan.html ''Huge disappointment to Andhra Pradesh'' - Deccan Chronicle]

{{Centaur class aircraft carrier}}
{{Indian Navy aircraft carriers}}
{{Ship classes of the Indian Navy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Viraat}}
[[Category:Centaur-class aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Barrow-in-Furness]]
[[Category:1953 ships]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of India]]