In Pictures | All aboard INS Viraat, on its final sail into the sunset
Serving the Indian Naval fleet for 29 years, INS Viraat has been a pillar to marine defense for nearly three decades.
India's majestic aircraft carrier INS Viraat, which is slated to be decommissioned later in 2016, set sail for the last time from Mumbai for Kochi on Saturday afternoon.
This is the last sailing under her own propulsion before the iconic naval vessel goes for decommissioning. The ship set sail for Essential Repairs and Dry Docking (ERDD) at the Cochin Shipyard.
The carrier was escorted out of harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters from the Western Naval Command.
"It was an emotional moment for the Navy, as INS Viraat leaves Naval Dockyard Mumbai, for one last time under own power. The ship will be towed back to Mumbai on completion of ERDD, for the decommissioning ceremony later this year," a defence spokesperson said.
Viraat has been a part of the Indian Navy for 29 years covering the entire globe about 27 times. She played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 (Indian Peace Keeping operations in Sri Lanka) and Operation Vijay in the year 1999 (Kargil War). The ship has also participated in various international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy), Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy) and has been an integral element of all major naval exercises, the spokesperson added.
(With PTI inputs)
INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987. The ship operated Sea Harrier (White Tigers - fighter air crafts), Seaking 42B (Harpoons - Anti Submarine helicopters) & Seaking 42C (Commando Carrier helicopters) and Chetak (Angles - SAR helicopter) as her main air elements. The Sea Harrier fleet was also recently decommissioned at Goa in May 16.
In 29 years, INS Viraat has been around the world 27 times. It has been an integral part of some of the major operations led by India. Some of those include, Operation Jupiter in 1989 (Indian Peace Keeping operations in Sri Lanka) and Operation Vijay in the year 1999 (Kargil War). It has also been a part of numerous naval exercises.
INS Viraat is a Centaur-Class Aircraft Carrier and served in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, which was the flag ship of Royal Navy during the Falk Lands Campaign of 1982. She is commonly referred to as the ‘Grand Old Lady’ among the Naval community.
Escorted out of harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters from the Western Naval Command, INS Viraat set sail on its own steam for the final time from the Mumbai to Kochi port for Essential Repairs and Dry Docking (ERDD) at the Cochin Shipyard.
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief Western Naval Command and other senior officers of the command, visited the ship and interacted with the crew prior to her departure.
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra at the bridge of the INS Viraat before it set sail on its final journey.
The second aircraft carrier of the country has spent 29 years under the Indian Flag and 27 years with the Royal Navy (United Kingdom). The ship holds the Guinness Record for being the oldest serving warship.
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra after meeting the crew of the oldest warship that set off on its final sail. Having served the country and the Navy for nearly three decades, INS Viraat handed over the mantle of carrier operations to INS Vikramaditya, which was commissioned in the year 2013.