The oldest operational aircraft carrier in the world, INS Viraat of Indian Navy may decommissioned next year in 2016 in Kochi. The ship started its Journey in 1958. One of the crew member said for the last 28 years,” the ship had been periodically upgraded with all its weapons and censors with equipment on board and “that is how the Navy has been able to keep it running so effectively.”

She will be converted into a docked museum when the ship, now in the Indian Navy, decommissions next year. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) authorities received an in-principle approval from the Ministry of Defence to convert the ship into a museum at the Kakinada port in the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern shore of the country.  The Indian Navy intended to decommission Viraat in 2009, but the refurbishment of Soviet-built carrier INS Vikramaditya (R-33) was delayed so Viraat under went additional refits and continued its work.

• INS Viraat was the flagship of the Indian Navy befor INS Vikramaditya.
• she is the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world.
• INS Viraat (R-22) was commissioned in 1959 into the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes (R-12)
• It was transferred to India in 1987.
• After 57 years, the ship will decommission in 2016.
• Motto:Jalameva Yasya, Balameva Tasya(Sanskrit: “He who rules over the seas is all powerful”).
• It is last British built ship serving with Indian Navy.
• Length: 226.5 m