INS Virat Retires Tommorow. A Memorium

[Soumitra]

India's Aircraft Cariier INS Virat is set to Retire tomorrow. She was the oldest Aircraft carrier in the world. She served the Navy for 30 years.

https://twitter.com/x/status/838402421957267459

Some pics of the Majestic Lady

 

[Soumitra]

INS Viraat: Old warships never die, they’re resurrected in another avatar
OPINION Updated: Mar 03, 2017 18:40 IST
Vice Admiral AK Chawla

INS Viraat is scheduled to get decommissioned on 06 March 2017.(Photo by / Hindustan Times)(Kunal Patil/HT)

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On commissioning, Hermes displaced 27,800 tonnes with a capacity to carry 20 fighter aircraft and eight helicopters, and a complement of 2,100 men. The versatility of the ship’s design is evident from the fact that she underwent four role changes in her life. Between 1959 and 1970, Hermes served as a strike carrier; in 1970, she was converted into a commando carrier; in 1976, into an anti-submarine warfare carrier; and, in 1980 into a vertical/short take-off and landing carrier.

The last modification involved extensive refurbishment, including the famous “nose job” incorporating a 12 degree ski jump instead of the earlier steam catapult. This role change was propitious, for in 1982 Hermes was pressed action in the Falklands War in the South Atlantic and played a critical role in the war.

On her return, she was placed in operational reserve in 1984 and de-commissioning looked inevitable. However, by then the Indian Navy was searching for a replacement to the ageing carrier Vikrant. With Hermes being available for sale, it seemed a match made in heaven. After numerous rounds of negotiations, assessments and visits, the Indian government announced on April 24, 1986 that it had decided to acquire HMS Hermes, which was to be renamed INS Viraat.


After refurbishment, Viraat was commissioned on May 12, 1987 at Naval Base, Portsmouth, under the command of Captain (later VAdm) Vinod Pasricha. The ship’s transition to the Indian Navy was seamless, one in which, as time would tell, not just equipment, systems and procedures were exchanged but the enduring spirit of “Happy Hermes”, as she was known, was translated into that of a “Vibrant Viraat”.

In the three decades with the Indian Navy, Viraat faithfully discharged her role, taking part in several major operations and exercises such as Operation Pawan and Parakram. Along with her illustrious processor, Viraat served as a cradle for generations of naval aviators. Her contribution in building the maritime military strength of India is evident from the smooth induction of INS Vikramaditya into the Indian Navy.

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  World’s oldest serving aircraft carrier Viraat to retire on March 6

As she lies alongside quiescent today, much like a beached grey whale, probably remembering the days when she felt the rush of waves beneath her keel and the roar of jets on her flight deck, posterity will remember the grand old lady who could be trusted to meet every commitment, and who inspired respect and loyalty among all those who served on board.

It is said that old warships never die, they are resurrected in another avatar. So maybe it for Viraat.

Vice Admiral AK Chawla was former commanding officer of Viraat

http://www.hindustantimes.com/opini...ther-avatar/story-pWDzXjpwghpd9bfR0ro5rK.html

 

[Basel]

India's Aircraft Cariier INS Virat is set to Retire tomorrow. She was the oldest Aircraft carrier in the world. She served the Navy for 30 years.

https://twitter.com/x/status/838402421957267459

Some pics of the Majestic Lady

What will be fate of the ship? If it has life in it then India should sale it to Vietnam, BD or Sri Lanka with their Harriars or with helicopters (possibly with BRAHMOS & Barak-8), will be very good diplomatic move.

 

[Soumitra]

What will be fate of the ship? If it has life in it then India should sale it to Vietnam, BD or Sri Lanka with their Harriars or with helicopters (possibly with BRAHMOS & Barak-8), will be very good diplomatic move.

She is quiet an old ship

The ship was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the Royal Navy's HMS Hermes, and decommissioned in 1984. It was sold to India in 1987. INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987,[1] and served for 27 years.

there were talks about her being made into a museum but it was found financially unviable by the govt. It will probably be sold for scrap

 

[Basel]

She is quiet an old ship

The ship was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the Royal Navy's HMS Hermes, and decommissioned in 1984. It was sold to India in 1987. INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987,[1] and served for 27 years.

there were talks about her being made into a museum but it was found financially unviable by the govt. It will probably be sold for scrap

Means it can not be refurbished for further 20 year service with small navy with no major conflict to face?

 

[adil_minhas]

The grand old lady is being decommissioned as we speak. Touching scenes. Sorry can't share the on board photos here.

Thank you for your service. 30 glorious years. 1987-2017.

Jai Hind.

 

[Soumitra]

The grand old lady is being decommissioned as we speak. Touching scenes. Sorry can't share the on board photos here.

Thank you for your service. 30 glorious years. 1987-2017.

Jai Hind.

Is it in Mumbai? You are witnessing the decommisioning?

 

[adil_minhas]

Is it in Mumbai? You are witnessing the decommisioning?

Seeing the photos live. On WhatsApp. Naval officer friend on board. Many officers openly tears in eyes. Old crews invited. She's a true legend.

 

[Soumitra]

Means it can not be refurbished for further 20 year service with small navy with no major conflict to face?

No she has had extensive refits which extended her life from 1959-2017 (58 yeas) no more refitting will be possible

We can sell other old ships to these countries if need be

 

[Basel]

No she has had extensive refits which extended her life from 1959-2017 (58 yeas) no more refitting will be possible

We can sell other old ships to these countries if need be

Then India should use its naval diplomacy if they want to counter Chinese influence in Indian Ocean.

 

[Michael Corleone]

well.... now india has 2 or 1 air craft carrier?


@BDforever @TopCat @Khan saheb read user posts....

 

[Kailash Rava]

Thank you #viraat for your service to IN, and protecting our nation ...

She will b reborn more powerful and brave as IAC-1.

well.... now india has 2 or 1 air craft carrier?


@BDforever @TopCat @Khan saheb read user posts....

We have 1 in active service -INS vikramaditya.

What will be fate of the ship? If it has life in it then India should sale it to Vietnam, BD or Sri Lanka with their Harriars or with helicopters (possibly with BRAHMOS & Barak-8), will be very good diplomatic move.

Means it can not be refurbished for further 20 year service with small navy with no major conflict to face?

To operate a AC you need to have destroyers ,frigates ,submarine's and ASW aircraft's providing support to it.
Vietnam or Sri Lankan navy is not ready for a CBG..
you need those extra support vessiles and millions of $$$ per year to operate ..
And y a small navy wants a AC which has. No major conflicts.

 

[Soumitra]

Then India should use its naval diplomacy if they want to counter Chinese influence in Indian Ocean.

Dont worry we are doing that. Thanks for the advice

 

[Jugger]

Then India should use its naval diplomacy if they want to counter Chinese influence in Indian Ocean.

We just want the Indian ocean to be just that the INDIAN ocean.
As China is possessive about the south CHINA sea, India is also possessive about the Indian ocean.
Let's not interfere with each other's comfort zone.

 

[Penguin]

We just want the Indian ocean to be just that the INDIAN ocean.
As China is possessive about the south CHINA sea, India is also possessive about the Indian ocean.
Let's not interfere with each other's comfort zone.

Don't hold your breath.

Farewell to the old lass, she put up a good show in her (long, long) lifetime. May her steel be reused appropriately.