INS Viraat to berth on Visakhapatnam coast by mid-2017

The Navy has agreed to hand over INS Viraat to Andhra Pradesh government after its decommissioning and the aircraft carrier will berth on the coast here by mid-2017, Flag Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral H C S Bisht said on Saturday.

The AP government had shown a keen interest in getting INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier operated by Indian Navy, to berth in Vizag for promotion of tourism after its decommissioning, he said. He was speaking to reporters after taking part in the International Coastal Cleanup Day at R K Beach on Saturday.

Viraat is likely to be decommissioned by end of 2016 after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy), he said.