INS Viraat can serve Navy till 2018: Captain

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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KOCHI: INS Viraat, Indian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, has enough life left and could be in active service at least till 2018, op..

KOCHI: INS Viraat, Indian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, has enough life left and could be in active service at least till 2018, opined Captain R Harikumar, Commanding Officer of INS Viraat.
The vessel, which is in Kochi for a short refit at the Cochin Shipyard, is currently berthed at the Ernakulam Wharf. Captain Harikumar is a native of Thiruvananthapuram. He is the first Keralite to command the prestigious aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy.

Captain Harikumar told reporters on board Viraat that the vessel, which would complete 25 years of service in the Indian Navy next year, will organise major celebrations to commemorate the occasion.

INS Viraat was in Kochi about two years ago for a medium refit. Currently, the vessel has come for a short refit, which is part of the periodical maintenance and would last for about two months.

There won't be any major overhaul of the equipment or electronic systems during the short refit. After the refit the vessel would return to Mumbai, where it is stationed. INS Viraat will be open to visitors for one week till it is berthed at the Ernakulam Wharf.