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'''INS ''Viraat'' (R22)''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Devanagari|विराट]], [[Indic transliteration|Virāṭ]]. "Giant" ) is a [[Centaur class aircraft carrier|''Centaur'']]-class [[aircraft carrier]] currently in service with the [[Indian Navy]]. INS Viraat is the [[flagship]] of the Indian Navy, the oldest carrier afloat, and one of the two [[aircraft carrier]]s in the Indian Ocean Region.
'''INS ''Viraat'' (R22)''' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Devanagari|विराट]], [[Indic transliteration|Virāṭ]]. "Giant" ) is a [[Centaur class aircraft carrier|''Centaur'']]-class [[aircraft carrier]] currently in service with the [[Indian Navy]]. INS Viraat is the [[flagship]] of the Indian Navy, the oldest carrier afloat, and one of the two [[aircraft carrier]]s in the Indian Ocean Region.


The Viraat is the ex-Royal Navy's HMS Hermes built in 1959 and transferred to India in 1987. In 2009 there were reports that, after the current round of repairs was concluded, India might keep the aircraft carrier in service until 2019. By then, few warship would have completed 60 years of service, over twice its initially estimated sailing life of 25 years. At that time the two Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) seemed likely to be fully operational , which was reason to keep INS Viraat operational untill then, according to un-named Navy officers. <ref name="SP"/>
The Viraat is the ex-Royal Navy's HMS Hermes built in 1959 and transferred to India in 1987. In 2009 there were reports that, after the current round of repairs was concluded, India might keep the aircraft carrier in service until 2019. By then, the warship would have completed 60 years of service, over twice its initially estimated sailing life of 25 years. At that time the two Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) seemed likely to be fully operational, which was the reason to keep INS Viraat operational until then, according to un-named Navy officers. <ref name="SP"/>


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 12:53, 15 November 2009

History
India
NameINS Viraat
BuilderVickers-Armstrong
Launched16 February 1953
Acquiredbought from UK, May 1987
Decommissioned2019 (expected)[1]
RefitApril 1986, July 1999, August 2008-November 2009
MottoJayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah (Sanskrit: "I completely defeat those who dare fight me")
Statuscompleted refit
General characteristics
Class and typeCentaur class aircraft carrier
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
23,900 tons standard
28,700 tons full load
Length226.5 metres (743 ft)
Beam48.78 metres (160.0 ft)
Draught8.8 metres (29 ft)
Propulsion2 x Parsons geared steam turbines; 4 boilers with 400 psi, 76,000 shp
Speed28 knots (52 km/h)
Range6,500 miles (10,500 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complementlist error: <br /> list (help)
Maximum 2,100;
1,207 ship's crew,
143 air crew
Sensors and
processing systems		list error: <br /> list (help)
1 x BEL/Signaal RAWL 02 air radar
1 x RAWS 08 air/surface radar
2 x BEL Rashmi navigation radars
1 x EL/M-2221 STGR fire control radar
1 x Plessey Type 904 radar
1 x FT 13-S/M Tacan system
Sonar:
1 x Graseby Type 184M hull-mounted sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys		list error: <br /> list (help)
1 x BEL Ajanta ESM
Decoy:
2 x Knebworth Corvus chaff launchers
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
2 x 40mm Bofors AA guns
16 x Barak SAM VL cells
Aircraft carriedlist error: <br /> list (help)
Up to 30
Normally 28 aircraft, including

INS Viraat (R22) (Sanskrit: विराट, Virāṭ. "Giant" ) is a Centaur-class aircraft carrier currently in service with the Indian Navy. INS Viraat is the flagship of the Indian Navy, the oldest carrier afloat, and one of the two aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Viraat is the ex-Royal Navy's HMS Hermes built in 1959 and transferred to India in 1987. In 2009 there were reports that, after the current round of repairs was concluded, India might keep the aircraft carrier in service until 2019. By then, the warship would have completed 60 years of service, over twice its initially estimated sailing life of 25 years. At that time the two Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) seemed likely to be fully operational, which was the reason to keep INS Viraat operational until then, according to un-named Navy officers. [1]

History

Royal Navy Service

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 during the Falkland Islands campaign in 1982. She would serve the Royal Navy another three years until she was struck from active duty in 1985.

Induction into Indian Navy

After evaluating vessels from several countries, particularly the Garibaldi class of Italian ships,[2] the Indian Navy purchased the vessel in April 1986[3] and gave it an extensive refit at Devonport Dockyard to allow for continued operability into the next decade[4]. 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.

First Mid-service Refit

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.

Second Mid-service Refit

Between July 1999 and April 2001, INS Viraat completed another life-extension refit which is expected to extend her serviceability until 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. Wing commander Ashoka Padmanabhan flew the Tigermoth-B970 past its deck anchored at 1.5 nautical km from the Gateway of India.

Third Mid-service Refit

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[5] [6].

Viraat during the joint Indo-US Exercise Malabar 2005

Fourth Mid-service Refit

Viraat underwent a fourth refit in Indian service from January to August 2009 at Cochin Shipyard.[7] This refit is expected to ensure its continued service in the Indian Navy till 2015. Viraat will go through exercises in the Arabian Sea for a month and a half before being deployed to the Gulf of Aden.[7][8]

Decommissioning Plans

In 2004, India bought the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov [9] from Russia for US$1.5 billion including its complement of aircraft.[10] It is expected to enter service in 2012 as INS Vikramaditya. Viraat was expected to be replaced by 2011–2012 by a new Vikrant class carrier that the Vikramaditya represents. But now since Viraat has had its engine and hull refurbished, and its electronics upgraded, it can serve for up to ten more years, steaming in Indian Ocean projecting Indian Naval Force till 2019. That would mean sixty years in service.[11]

Structure

Viraat is fitted with a 12° ski jump to operate the Sea Harrier[12], a reinforced flight deck, 1.2 inches (3 cm) 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. In a wartime scenario, the INS Viraat can embark up to 18 combat aircraft. INS Viraat is ideally suited for two missions: supporting amphibious operations and conducting ASW operations. Despite its age and range considerations, INS Viraat can effectively project naval and air power anywhere in the South Asia region.

Air Group

Combat Data Systems

The ship has been fitted with

  • Italian Elmar communication suites
  • CAAIS action data automation; Link 10
  • SATCOM systems
  • A Sea Harrier takes off from the deck of the Viraat
    A Sea Harrier takes off from the deck of the Viraat

See also

References

  1. ^ a b [1]
  2. ^ The Naval Arms Trade By Ian Anthony
  3. ^ Students' Britannica India By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani
  4. ^ Aircraft Carriers: The World's Greatest Naval Vessels and Their Aircraft By Chris Bishop, Chris Chant, Christopher Chant
  5. ^ Israel's Quest for Recognition and Acceptance in Asia: Garrison State Diplomacy By Jacob Abadi, Abadi Jacob
  6. ^ International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook By Journal of Electronic Defense Staff
  7. ^ a b http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ins-viraat-out-of-dry-dock-to-sail-to-gulf-of-aden-soon_1283177
  8. ^ http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article4365.ece
  9. ^ Indo-Russian Military and Nuclear Cooperation: Lessons and Options for U.S Policy in South Asia By Jerome M. Conleyfrom
  10. ^ INS Vikramaditya Hits Delay, Cost Increases, DefenseIndustryDaily.com.
  11. ^ [2]
  12. ^ China and the Asia-pacific Region: Geostrategic Relations and a Naval Dimension By Jae-Hyung Lee
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