| Career (India) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | INS Viraat |
| Builder: | Vickers-Armstrong |
| Launched: | 16 February 1953 |
| Acquired: | May 1987 (UK) |
| Decommissioned: | 2020 (expected)[1] |
| Refit: | April 1986, July 1999, August 2008-November 2009 |
| Homeport: | Mumbai, Maharashtra [2] |
| Motto: | Jalmeva Jasya, Balmeva Tasya' (Sanskrit: "He who rules over the seas is all powerful") |
| Status: | completed refit |
| Badge: | |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Centaur class aircraft carrier |
| Displacement: | 23,900 tons standard 28,700 tons full load |
| Length: | 226.5 m (743 ft) |
| Beam: | 48.78 m (160.0 ft) |
| Draught: | 8.8 m (29 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Parsons geared steam turbines; 4 boilers with 400 psi, 76,000 shp |
| Speed: | 28 knots (52 km/h) |
| Range: | 6,500 mi (10,500 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h) |
| Complement: | Maximum 2,100; 1,207 ship's crew, 143 air crew |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
1 x BEL/Signaal RAWL 02 air radar 1 x RAWS 08 air/surface radar 2 x BEL Rashmi navigation radars 1 x EL/M-2221 STGR fire control radar 1 x Plessey Type 904 radar 1 x FT 13-S/M Tacan system Sonar: 1 x Graseby Type 184M hull-mounted sonar |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
1 x BEL Ajanta ESM Decoy: 2 x Knebworth Corvus chaff launchers |
| Armament: |
2 x 40mm Bofors AA guns |
| Aircraft carried: |
Up to 30 aircraft, including
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INS Viraat (R22) (Sanskrit: विराट, Virāṭ. "Giant" ) is a Centaur class aircraft carrier currently in service with the Indian Navy. INS Viraat is the flagship of the Indian Navy, the oldest carrier in service and one of two aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Viraat was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the Royal Navy's HMS Hermes, and transferred to India in 1987. In 2009 there were reports[3][4] that after that year's refit was concluded, India might keep the aircraft carrier in service until 2020. By then, the warship would have completed 60 years of service, over twice its initially estimated sailing life of 25 years. At that time the two Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (IACs) seemed likely to be fully operational, which was the reason to keep Viraat operational until then, according to un-named Navy officers.[3]
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INS Viraat was originally commissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes on 18 November 1959. During her career as Hermes, she served as the flagship of the Royal Navy's task force during the Falkland Islands campaign in 1982. She would serve the Royal Navy another three years until she was decommissioned from active duty in 1985.
After evaluating vessels from several countries, particularly the Garibaldi class of Italian ships,[5] the Indian Navy purchased the vessel in April 1986[6] and gave it an extensive refit at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, England, to allow for continued operability into the next decade.[7] New fire control equipment, navigation radars, improved NBC protection, and deck landing aids were installed in this refit. Boilers were converted to operate on distillate fuel.
In September 1993, the engine room of Viraat flooded, putting the vessel out of service for several months. By 1995, the vessel was back in service and had a new search radar.
Between July 1999 and April 2001, INS Viraat completed another life-extension refit which was expected to extend her serviceability until 2010. This refit upgraded propulsion systems, added a package of sensors to sound emergency alerts, and introduced modern communication systems. In addition, long-range surveillance radar, weapon systems, and new hangar with fire curtains was installed. The lift system was revamped to reduce reaction time in the event of an attack and a new flood alarm system was installed. In early June 2001 Viraat returned to service after nearly two years of refit.
The vessel also took part in the International Fleet Review in Mumbai in February 2001.
The vessel had to be towed back to dry dock for another refit in mid-2003 and returned to service only in November 2004, during which the vessel was fitted with the Barak SAM.[8][9]
Viraat underwent a fourth refit in Indian service from January to August 2009 at Cochin Shipyard, Kochi, India.[10] This refit was expected to ensure its continued service in the Indian Navy until 2015. Viraat went through exercises in the Arabian Sea for a month and a half before being deployed to the Gulf of Aden.[10][11]
On 12 July 2011 INS Viraat arrived at Cochin Shipyard for a short refit scheduled to be completed in two months. As part of the refit the ship was cleaned, repaired and repainted to eliminate the problems faced by years of sea corrosion. Commanding officer Captain R Harikumar said there is enough life left in the ship to serve the navy until 2018.
In 2004, India bought the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov [12] from Russia for US$ 2.35 billion including its complement of aircraft.[13] It is expected to enter service in 2013–2014 as INS Vikramaditya. Viraat was expected to be replaced by 2011–2012 by a new Vikrant class carrier that the Vikramaditya now represents. Since the Viraat has had its engine and hull refurbished and its electronics upgraded, it can serve until 2020. That would mean sixty years in service for the carrier.[3][1] If INS Vikramaditya joins the Western Naval Fleet by 2012, the Indian Navy will soon have two Carrier Battle Groups. By 2015, the arrival of new Vikrant class carrier would mean that Indian Navy will have 3 Carrier Battle Groups in its arsenal.
Viraat is fitted with a 12° ski jump to operate the Sea Harrier,[14] a reinforced flight deck, and 1.2 inches (3 cm) of armour over the magazines and machinery spaces. The magazine capacity includes at least 80 lightweight torpedoes. The vessel retains commando transport capability for up to 750 troops and carries four LCVP landing craft in the aft section. In a wartime scenario, the INS Viraat can embark up to 30 combat aircraft. INS Viraat is ideally suited for two missions: supporting amphibious operations and conducting ASW operations. Despite its age and range considerations, INS Viraat can effectively project naval and air power anywhere in the South Asia region.
(Capacity for 30 total)
The ship has been fitted with
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