INS Viraat, the world’s oldest operational aircraft carrier has been decommissioned yesterday. The ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra. INS Viraat’s retirement signifies the end of an era of the Indian Navy. INS Viraat was the Centaur-class aircraft carrier and finally after 30 years of operational work since May 12, 1987, in the Indian Navy, this oldest aircraft carrier has been decommissioned on March 6, 2017.
The decommissioning ceremony of the giant Viraat was attended by two main chief guests; Sunil Lamba who is India’s Chief of Naval Staff and admiral Sir Phillip Andrew Jones who is the British Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord. There was retired personnel was also presented, especially those who once worked on INS Viraat and then moved to Hermes. The decommissioning of INS Viraat took place with the lowering of the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pennant for the last time.
At this occasion, during the press conference, Sunil Lamba revealed that “There is no decision yet on Andhra government’s proposal to turn it into a hotel and Maritime museum. We had sent a proposal to all the states but received only from Andhra government.”
It is believed that the INS Viraat could become a tourist attraction soon. Besides that this mighty will still be used as a carrier reef to support various kind of marine lives.
Watch the Last sails of INS Viraat over here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcHjJVtUjY4
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Tiru Dehariya
