In News: Recently, Supreme Court ordered a “status quo” with regard to the dismantling of India’s decommissioned aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, at the Alang shipbreaking yard in Gujarat.
About INS Viraat
- INS Viraat was originally commissioned by the British Royal Navy asHMS Hermes on 18 November 1959, 15 years after she was laid down in June 1944.
- INS Viraat served as the flagship of the Royal Navy’s task force during the Falkland Islands campaign in 1982 and was commissioned from active duty in 1985.
- It played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 during the Sri Lankan Peacekeeping operation.
- It is the second Centaur-class aircraft carrier which was in service for 30 years before being decommissioned in March 2017.
- The ship’s Motto was the Sanskrit phrase ‘Jalamev Yashya, Balamev Tasya’ which means ‘who controls the sea is the powerful’.
- The ship was also deployed during Operation Parakram (2001-02) following the terror attack on the Indian Parliament.
- It has participated in various international joint exercises like Exercise Malabar (USA), Exercise Varuna (French), Naseem-Al-Bahar (Oman Navy).
- It holds the world record as mentioned in the Guinness Book of records for being the longest serving warship of the world.
Warship played a major role in different operations
- Operation Jupiter: As a part of Indian Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka in the wake of the breakdown of the Indo- Sri Lankan Accord of 1986
- Operation Parakram: Followed after the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament.
- Operation Vijay: The Ship played a key role in creating a blockade against Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999.
Source: The Hindu
