INS VIKRANT finally could not be saved and had to be scrapped. Now in case of INS VIRAT
Maharashtra government has studied the ship’s final location and its officials have visited the ship. It will send a report to the Centre.
We are expecting a decision soon said, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra after a ceremony of affiliation of INS Kochi with Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment (JAKLI).
Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh have shown willingness to preserve decommissioned aircraft carrier Viraat,said Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Western Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, told reporters that Maharashtra Government officials have visited the ship.
Goa and Andhra Pradesh have also shown an interest in preserving the aircraft carrier, which decommissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai in July, the official said.
The event had marked the end of an era of Viraat being the flagship of the Indian Navy. The Centaur-class carrier spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy.
Admiral Luthra was attending affiliation of JAKLI with INS Kochi and 51 Squadron Air Force, at a ceremony held at the JAKLI Regimental Centre at Rangreth, on the outskirts of Srinagar.
“Such affiliation helps for better inter-operability among the armed forces,” Vice Adm Luthra said.
INS Kochi is the second ship of the indigenously designed and constructed Kolkata Class guided missile stealth destroyers built by the Mazagon Dock Ltd at Mumbai.
JAKLI was affiliated to INS Ganga, a Godavari-class guided-missile frigate which was decommissioned in March.
