INS Viraat to go the IMS Vikrant ‘scrap’ way?

MUMBAI: The fate of Centaur-class aircraft carrier INS Viraat seems to go in line with that of her predecessor IMS Vikrant. The aircraft carrier, which is anchored off Mumbai after undergoing defitting of on-board equipment before decommissioning, may be ‘scrapped’.
Though the Andhra Pradesh government is keen to convert INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier operated by the Indian Navy, into a 500-room hotel or resort, it did not come forward with a bid to acquire her after the formal decommissioning, which is tentatively scheduled for January 2017.
“The ministry of defence is in dialogue with states about converting the aircraft carrier into a museum. She has served total 56 years first with the Royal Navy and later with the Indian Navy. She has undergone de-fitting of equipment; the decommissioning date is yet to be finalized,” said vice-admiral Girish Luthra, chief of Western Naval Command.
The Centre is yet to form a panel to review the feasibility of maintaining INS Viraat as a museum. “There is no review or feasibility committee formed till date to decide whether it can be converted into a museum. The Navy and ministry of defence are not keen to spend money to preserve it as it is very costly. There is all possibility that she will be scrapped,” said an Indian Navy source.
On July 23, the ship sailed for the last time under her own power from Mumbai to Kochi, where she was dry-docked and prepared for decommissioning. She was towed out on October 23 and reached Mumbai on October 28.