Aircraft carrier INS Viraat sails into history - In Pics

Aircraft carrier INS Viraat on Monday sailed into sunset, after nearly 30 years with the Indian Navy.

Mumbai: INS Viraat, the world's oldest serving aircraft carrier, sailed into pages of history on Monday with the final lowering of the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pendant in a solemn ceremony at sundown.

The formal decommissioning function was presided over by Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, past and present officers from the Indian Navy and Royal Navy, dignitaries and others, marking the culmination of several pre-decommissioning functions in the past few days.

INS Viraat was the second centaur-class aircraft carrier which was in service with Indian Navy for nearly 30 years.

The aircraft carrier, in its earlier avatar, had won the Falklands War against Argentina in 1982 for the Royal British Navy.

It weighs about 27,800 tonnes and served in the British Navy as HMS Hermes from November 1959 to April 1984 and after refurbishment, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

In the late 80s, Indian Navy purchased it at the cost of USD 65 million and was re-commissioned on 12 May 1987.

Following are some pictures of the warship and of the ceremony held today (courtesy - @indiannavy):