INS Viraat

INS "Viraat" (Sanskrit: विराट, Virāṭ. "Giant" ) (R22) is a "Centaur"-class aircraft carrier currently in service with the Indian Navy. INS Viraat is the flagship of the Indian Navy.

History

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 in the Falkland Islands campaign. She would serve the Royal Navy another three years until she was stricken from active duty in 1985.

After evaluating vessels from several countries, particularly the Garibaldi class of Italian ships, [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=UMIUHvdi1gEC&pg=PA135&dq=INS+Viraat&ei=fCBoSPjsNZqwtgO53ey7Bg&sig=ACfU3U1nlDm_nBKKUzsWrHfqBYTaBAyfKw#PPA135,M1 The Naval Arms Trade] By Ian Anthony] the Indian Navy purchased the vessel in April 1986 [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=kEj-2a7pmVMC&pg=PA20&dq=INS+Viraat&ei=fCBoSPjsNZqwtgO53ey7Bg&sig=ACfU3U1s5s357ix5U-jIqFaY3nCz-OQDTg Students' Britannica India] By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani] and gave it an extensive refit at Devonport Dockyard to allow for continued operability into the next decade [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=PY8CvlKC7kgC&pg=PA117&dq=INS+Viraat&lr=&ei=FSRoSJO0F5-KtwOi-6C4Bg&sig=ACfU3U1Zf2H0FqXyMXFRzXo19fUK3HyDPQ Aircraft Carriers: The World's Greatest Naval Vessels and Their Aircraft] By Chris Bishop, Chris Chant, Christopher Chant] . 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, temporarily 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 is expected to extend her serviceability till 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 [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=Jew-cYHPN5sC&pg=PA280&dq=INS+Viraat&lr=&ei=FSRoSJO0F5-KtwOi-6C4Bg&sig=ACfU3U2AVVeOa0Nm-XLGxull2_z6_e_4ew Israel's Quest for Recognition and Acceptance in Asia: Garrison State Diplomacy] By Jacob Abadi, Abadi Jacob] [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=Y8kePYFK1L8C&pg=PA115&dq=INS+Viraat&lr=&ei=FSRoSJO0F5-KtwOi-6C4Bg&sig=ACfU3U3amC-dja8llbMt-MuYYTbmja25aA International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook] By Journal of Electronic Defense Staff] .

In a wartime scenario, the INS "Viraat" can embark up to 18 combat aircraft. INS "Viraat" is ideally suited for twomissions: supporting amphibious operations and conducting ASW operations. Despite its age and range considerations, INS "Viraat" can quite effectively project naval and air power anywhere in the South Asia region.

In 2004, India bought the aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov" [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=SZRk_z3dhtYC&pg=PA69&dq=INS+Viraat&ei=fCBoSPjsNZqwtgO53ey7Bg&sig=ACfU3U2NT7Tvwu2h_gok7pESwLykitEe1Q Indo-Russian Military and Nuclear Cooperation: Lessons and Options for U.S Policy in South Asia] By Jerome M. Conleyfrom] from Russia for US$1.5 billion; it is expected to enter service in 2012 as INS "Vikramaditya". The "Viraat" is expected to be replaced by 2011–2012 by a new Vikrant class carrier that the "Vikramaditya" represents.

tructure

"Viraat" is fitted with a 12° ski jump to operate the Sea Harrier [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=WToqGo21GC4C&pg=PA174&dq=INS+Viraat&ei=fCBoSPjsNZqwtgO53ey7Bg&sig=ACfU3U0M-StBHqI3XJMFpM6PHo0xGfyFlA China and the Asia-pacific Region: Geostrategic Relations and a Naval Dimension] By Jae-Hyung Lee] , a reinforced flight deck, convert|1.2|in|cm|0 of armour over magazines and machinery spaces. The magazine capacity includes 80+ lightweight torpedoes. The vessel retains commando transport capability, for around 750 troops and carries four LCVP landing craft aft.

Air Group

*Fleet Defense - Sea Harrier FRS Mk.51 (Capacity for 30)
*Airborne Early Warning - Kamov Ka-31 Helix-B
*ASW/ASV - Sea King Mk.42B and Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A
*Commando Assault and Vertical Replenishment - Sea King Mk.42C

Combat Data Systems

The ship has been fitted with
* Italian Elmar communication suites
* CAAIS action data automation; Link 10
* SATCOM systems

Gallery

References

ee also

* List of aircraft carriers
* INS Vikrant
* INS Vikramaditya

External links

* [http://indiannavy.nic.in/viraat.htm Indian Navy]
* [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Viraat.html INS Viraat at Bharat Rakshak]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66CpVxV2JFg Malabar exercise]