
INS Virat was escorted out of naval harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters.
The ageing 750-feet long 'giant' - as the name signifies - served the Indian Navy with distinction for almost three decades. It is expected to reach the Southern Naval Command base on Wednesday for the pre-decommissioning preparations, official sources said. This will entail a spell in a dry dock for dismantling and retrieving valuable and sensitive equipment including the engines, radars, big and small guns and other weaponry.

INS Virat served the Indian Navy with distinction for almost three decades.
The carrier was escorted out of naval harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters from the Western Naval Command.
INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987. The ship operated Sea Harrier (White Tigers - fighter air crafts), Seaking 42B (Harpoons - Anti Submarine helicopters) and Seaking 42C (Commando Carrier helicopters) and Chetak (Angles - SAR helicopter) as her main air elements.

Last Navy Crew to be sailing on the majestic vessel INS virat.
The ship has also participated in various international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy), Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy) and has been an integral element of all major naval exercises.
The last operational deployment of the ship was for participation in International Fleet Review (IFR-2016) at Visakhapatnam. Having served the country and the Navy for nearly three decades, INS Viraat handed over the mantle of carrier operations to INS Vikramaditya which was commissioned in the year 2013.

INS Viraat is a Centaur-Class Aircraft Carrier and served in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes.
INS Viraat is a Centaur-Class Aircraft Carrier and served in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, which was the flag ship of Royal Navy during the Falk Lands Campaign of 1982. She is commonly referred to as the 'Grand Old Lady' among Indian Naval Officers and Sailors.