INS Viraat

After 30 years with the Indian Navy, aircraft carrier INS Viraat was decommissioned on Monday. In its earlier avatar, the warship had won the Falklands War against Argentina in 1982 for the Royal British Navy.It weighs about 27,800 tonnes and served in the British Navy as HMS Hermes from 1959 to 1984. In the late 1980s, the Indian Navy purchased it for USD 65 million and it was re-commissioned in 1987.On its last day in service, the fate of the aircraft carrier remained unclear as to whether it will be converted into a luxury hotel or head to scrapyard to be broken up. The decision is to be taken by the Defence Ministry.