Its last refit, euphemistically called essential repairs and dry docking in which the ship’s rudders and propulsion were taken out, over at Cochin Shipyard, the 56-year-old aircraft carrier INS Viraat, which served the Indian Navy for nearly three decades, will be taken to Mumbai under tow later this month for decommissioning early next year.
“By the end of this year or early next,” was how Captain Puneet Chadha, Commanding Officer of Viraat, put it.
In the interim, training of naval personnel will be ongoing on the carrier.
“The current cycle of refit, its 14th, was to ensure that the ship is made safe for disposal. There has been a lot of talk about its post-retirement life, with some States and corporate entities evincing interest in converting it into a museum, a decision in this regard has not been arrived at. It will take about eight to 10 days to tow the vessel to Mumbai and the grand decommissioning ceremony will be attended, among others, by veteran shipmates of Viraat and dignitaries from the Royal Navy which it had served for 27 years as HMS Hermes,” Capt. Chadha told the media on board Viraat.
The decommissioning refit saw blanking of Viraat’s underwater orifices. Its propulsion and rudders were also removed at the CSL, which, he said, had taken care of the ship through its life in the Indian Navy.
Viraat, the longest serving carrier in the world, would have its weapon systems and operational equipment taken out after decommissioning.
“It will take about six months to de-equip the ship and serviceable equipment and armament will be retrofitted on other ships,” he told The Hindu.
To a question on the feasibility of maintaining such a large floating platform as a museum, he said its conversion would cost a fortune and maintenance would be even dearer.
Capt. Chadha, the 22nd Indian Naval officer to helm the ship’s company, said he felt proud to command the majestic vessel with a glorious history and considered it a “great honour and privilege”.
“It has taken part in all major operations, the most important of them being Op Jupiter [in support of Indian forces in Sri Lanka], Op Vijay [Post-Kargil] and Op Parakram [26/11 Mumbai].
Arriving in Kochi in end-July, Viraat’s last dry-docking got over on September 4.
