[CA] INS Viraat

Aircraft carrier INS Viraat sailed into sunset on March 06, 2017, after 30 years with the Indian Navy. The warship was decommissioned after an impressive ceremony on board in the presence of Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and top armed forces officials.

The aircraft carrier, in its earlier avatar, had won the Falklands War against Argentina in 1982 for the Royal British Navy. It weighs about 27,800 tonnes and served in the British Navy as HMS Hermes from November 1959 to April 1984 and after refurbishment, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

In the late 80s, India purchased it for $65 million and was re-commissioned on 12 May 1987.