Navy bids farewell to world’s oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat
kochi — INS Viraat, the world’s oldest aircraft carrier, was accorded a grand send-off from the port city here on Sunday, after over five decades of service.
The ship, which underwent a decommissioning refit, is being towed back by three tugs to Mumbai for the decommissioning ceremony, a Navy official said here.
The final journey of the carrier began with Navy officials led by the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nadkarni bidding farewell to the carrier at Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port Trust on Sunday morning.
The 750-feet long ‘giant’ — as the name signifies — served the Indian Navy with distinction for almost six decades.
Viraat is expected to be decommissioned by end of this year, after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy).
Ranked as the oldest functional, floating aircraft carrier in the world and the last British-built ship serving the Indian Navy, INS Viraat was the star attraction at the International Fleet Review held in Visakhapatnam in February this year.
Sailing at 28-knots plus speeds, the ship gave a spectacular performance with aircraft onboard operating round-the-clock, units from the ship shredding many enemy aircraft in the air and neutralizing other challenges on the ground during the 74-days long conflict in which Argentina lost to the UK.
The Navy has agreed to hand over INS Viraat to Andhra Pradesh government after its decommissioning.
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. —