Record-breaking INS Virat to bid world farewell on March 6
Under the Tricolour, the ship clocked more than 22,622 flying hours by various aircrafts in the past three decades.
Mumbai: The Indian Navy, on Monday, announced the decommissioning of its 30-year-old aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, on March 6 in Mumbai. INS Viraat’s decommissioning, which holds the Guinness world of record for being the longest serving warship in the world, will be followed by the decommissioning of its submarine Sindhurakhshak by June this year.
The aircraft carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987, spending 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy. All personnel who served the legendary ship in the past, along with officers from the United Kingdom, will attend the decommissioning ceremony. A book on the history of Viraat, along with the release of special cover by Army Postal Service will be released on March 6.
Under the Tricolour, the ship clocked more than 22,622 flying hours by various aircrafts in the past three decades and has spent nearly 2,252 days at sea sailing and 5,88,287 NM. She played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 in Sri Lankan Peace Keeping operation, after which she was affiliated with Garhwal Riffles and Scouts of the Indian Army in 1990. Her major participation was seen during Operation Parakram in 2001-2002 where India and Pakistan were engaged in a stand off post terrorist attack on the Parliament.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji first adopted the maxim in the 17th century as one of the guiding principles of his military strategy. Her role in operation Mercy in 1974 and Falklands in 1982 are now text book references for victory for future navies,” said the Navy spokesperson.
Fate of the ship after it is decommissioned will depend on the level of interest shown by various states. According to officials, Andhra Pradesh has shown interest in procuring the ship but the states haven’t given official intimation to the centre regarding the same.