From 1987 to 2016, INS Viraat was a member of the Indian Navy. She had previously served as HMS Hermes, a British Royal Navy Centaur class carrier. Before the commissioning of INS Vikramaditya in 2013, the Indian Navy’s flagship was INS Viraat. Named initially HMS Hermes, the vessel served the Royal Navy from 1959 until her decommissioning in 1984. By 1987, it had found its way to India.
Operational History: Indian Navy
Decommissioning: INS Viraat
INS Viraat hung up her boots on March 6, 2017, after an impressive nearly 30 years of service with the Indian Navy. This iconic warship earned the distinction of being the longest-serving in the world and played a starring role in several key operations, including Operation Jupiter, Operation Parakram, and Sri Lankan Peacekeeping. She was the undisputed queen of the fleet. Although there were grand plans to convert her into a museum and hotel, they unfortunately didn’t materialize. Instead, she was sold for scrap and was slated to be dismantled in September 2020. But, in a surprising twist, the Supreme Court of India put the brakes on the scrapping process after nearly 40% of her body had already been torn apart.
INS Viraat’s contribution to Operation Jupiter and Parakram
Both Operation Jupiter and Operation Parakram relied heavily on INS Viraat. In 1989, INS Viraat was deploy as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka, and it played a crucial role in Operation Jupiter1. Operation Jupiter was launch in response to the breakdown of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of 1986. The operation aimed to disarm the Tamil Tigers and restore regional peace.
INS Viraat played a starring role in both Operation Jupiter and Operation Parakram. In 1989, the Indian Navy deployed INS Viraat as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka, where it proved instrumental in Operation Jupiter. But what led to this operation? The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of 1986 had broken down, and Operation Jupiter was launched to disarm the Tamil Tigers and restore peace in the region
Participation in these actions by INS Viraat demonstrates the ship’s value in maintaining maritime security. The ship’s decommissioning marked the end of an era and the beginning of a neRafael’ Derby’dia’s naval history.
FAQ’s
1. What is INS Viraat?
INS Viraat was a decommissioned aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. It served as a vital component of the Indian naval fleet for several decades.
2. When was INS Viraat decommissioned?
INS Viraat was decommissioned on March 6, 2017. After a long and illustrious service, it was retired from active duty.
3. When was INS Viraat decommissioned?
INS Viraat was decommissioned from the Indian Navy in March 2017, marking the end of its illustrious service.
4. What happened to INS Viraat after decommissioning?
After decommissioning, efforts were made to convert INS Viraat into a museum or tourist attraction, but those plans still need to materialize due to logistical challenges and financial constraints.
INS Viraat was a symbol of India’s naval power and played a significant role in ensuring the safety and security of the seas. The ship’s decommissioning marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in India’s fleet history. INS Viraat will always be remembered as a glorious flagship of the Indian Navy.
