INS Viraat is a Centaur class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy. It is the flagship and also the second largest ship of the Indian Navy (second to INS Jyoti). It is also the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world and is one of the two carriers based in Indian Ocean Region(IOR).
It was initially in service with Royal Navy as HMS Hermes from 1959 to 1985 and was transferred to India in 1987 which will keep it 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 having undergone four mid-life refits and a short refit. At that time the two Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (INS Vikrant and INS Vishal) seemed likely to be fully operational, which was the reason to keep Viraat operational until then,according to unnamed Navy officers.
It was initially in service with Royal Navy as HMS Hermes from 1959 to 1985 and was transferred to India in 1987 which will keep it 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 having undergone four mid-life refits and a short refit. At that time the two Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (INS Vikrant and INS Vishal) seemed likely to be fully operational, which was the reason to keep Viraat operational until then,according to unnamed Navy officers.
Structure:
Viraat is fitted with a 12° ski jump to operate the Sea Harrier jump jets , a reinforced flight deck, and 1.2 inch 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 (Higgins Boat) in the aft section. In a wartime scenario, the INS Viraat can embark up to 30 combat aircraft (Sea Harrier) or helicopters. INS Viraat is suited for two missions:
- Supporting amphibious operations .
- Conducting ASW operations.
Aircrafts carried:
- Fleet Defence - Sea Harrier FRS51
- Airborne Early Warning (AEW) - Kamov Ka-31 Helix-B
- ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare)/ASV (Anti Surface Vessel)- SeaKing Mk. 42B & Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A
- Commando Assault and Vertical Replenishment - Sea King Mk. 42C
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| Sea Harrier lands on INS Viraat |
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| Westland Sea King |
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| Kamov 28 |
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| Kamov 31 |
Combat Data Systems On board:
- Italian SELEX (former ELMER) communication suites
- CAAIS action data automation; Link 10
- SATCOM systems
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