INS Viraat – Bidding Adieu to the Grand Old Lady of the Indian Navy ( From Vanguard Archive)
- Manoj Ambat, Editor in Chief, Strategic Vanguard
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
INS Viraat holds a special place in the maritime history of India. She joined the Indian fleet in 1987, after serving the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, and went on to serve the Indian Navy for nearly three decades as its flagship and floating airbase.
What made Viraat remarkable was her longevity. She was the oldest serving aircraft carrier in the world, with a career that spanned more than half a century—from the Falklands War (1982) to her final voyage under the Indian ensign.
With her decommissioning, the Navy bid farewell to the STOVL era, where Sea Harrier jump jets operated from her decks. The future now lies with STOBAR carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, and eventually CATOBAR carriers like INS Vishal.
From HMS Hermes to INS Viraat
Originally laid down in World War II as HMS Elephant, the ship was later launched as HMS Hermes in 1953 and commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1959. She was the flagship during the Falklands War, leading the British Task Force to victory with her Sea Harriers.
In April 1986, India purchased her, and on 12 May 1987, Hermes was reborn as INS Viraat (Sanskrit: Virāṭa, meaning “Giant”). She underwent major refits and upgrades before joining active Indian service.
Capabilities and Role in the Indian Navy
INS Viraat could:
Operate up to 26 combat aircraft (Sea Harriers, Sea Kings, Kamov helicopters).
Transport and deploy 750 troops with four landing craft.
Conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and amphibious operations.
Act as a command and control center during fleet operations.
For over 25 years, she was the flagship of the Indian Navy, projecting India’s maritime
strength across the Indian Ocean and beyond. She participated in countless naval exercises, humanitarian missions, and international fleet reviews.
Decommissioning and Final Years
Her Sea Harriers were retired on 6 May 2016, marking the end of an era. Without carrier-based fighters, Viraat’s role diminished.
On 6 March 2017, she was formally decommissioned in Mumbai, after 29 years of service in India and 27 years in the UK.
Post-retirement, there were several proposals to convert her into a museum ship in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, or Goa. Sadly, none materialized due to high costs.
The Final Fate
In 2020, INS Viraat was sold for scrap and towed to Alang ship-breaking yard, Gujarat. Despite strong public campaigns and appeals from veterans to preserve her, dismantling began in 2021. By 2022, the Grand Old Lady of the seas was reduced to metal, but her legacy remains timeless.
Legacy of INS Viraat
World’s oldest serving aircraft carrier (1959–2017).
Flagship of the Royal Navy during the Falklands War.
Flagship of the Indian Navy for over 25 years.
A symbol of India’s naval pride and maritime heritage.
Though she no longer sails, INS Viraat’s name will forever echo as the “Grand Old Lady of the Indian Navy.”
This is the updated version of an article I wrote in Strategic Vanguard Blogspot in 24.07.2016. To read the complete article, please click here- https://strategicvanguard.blogspot.com/2016/07/ins-viraat-bidding-adieu-to-grand-old.html )
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