Both owners got their money's worth from this old girl.
Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
Gabriel Dominguez, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
07 March 2017
INS Viraat is shown here during the IN's International Fleet Review in 2016. The carrier was decommissioned on 6 March. (Indian Navy)
The Indian Navy (IN) decommissioned INS Viraat (ex-HMS Hermes), its 57-year-old 24,300-tonne Centaur-class aircraft carrier, on 6 March.
The naval ensign and commissioning pennant aboard Viraat were lowered for the last time in a ceremony held in Mumbai, ending the carrier's almost 30-year-long service with the IN.
The ceremony was attended by a number of senior IN officers, including IN Chief of Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba. First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff of the UK Royal Navy Admiral Sir Philip Jones and IN Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha (retd), who was the commissioning commanding officer of Viraat, were the guests of honour, according to an IN statement.
Commissioned into the IN in May 1987, the refurbished carrier had been 'de-operationalised' in February 2016 immediately after participating in the International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam, as Jane's reported on 1 March.
The carrier had been commissioned into the UK Royal Navy in November 1959 as HMS Hermes and deployed to the Falklands War in 1982 before being retired in 1984. It was then sold to the IN, which had it refitted in the United Kingdom.
While in IN service, Viraat underwent four major refits and one minor refurbishment
Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
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Re: Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
An outstanding career of 57 years. For a ship that was conceived in world war 2 although it took 14 years to complete a true testament to longevity.It's a big B/Z to HMS Hermes / INS Viraat as she passes into the history books.
Cheers Glen
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Re: Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
Ex INS Viraat/Ex HMS Hermes has been towed to the Shipbreaking 'facility' at Alang in India.
Following last ditch (but doomed to fail) attempts to preserve her or even turn her into a floating Hotel/Casino. The flame of the Oxy Torch will be upon her shortly, if not already. Not a bad innings.
Nige
Following last ditch (but doomed to fail) attempts to preserve her or even turn her into a floating Hotel/Casino. The flame of the Oxy Torch will be upon her shortly, if not already. Not a bad innings.
Nige
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Re: Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
Sad to see her end. Hermes long and successful life covering several different configs, different aircraft lifespans and as flagship in the last true naval war (the Falkland's) which was a very harsh naval environment is a testament to her builders and the design.
Robert
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Re: Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
Hermes/Viraat missing bow and ramp
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Re: Indian Navy decommissions aircraft carrier INS Viraat
Cutting continues...last pic shows most of the bridge is gone.