INS Viraat, world’s oldest serving aircraft carrier to be decommissioned today with ceremonial send-off in Mumbai

Indian Navy's INS Viraat, the world’s oldest aircraft carrier in active service will be decommissioned on Monday with a ceremonial send-off in Mumbai. 

INS Viraat decommissioning will mark an end to a glorious chapter in the Indian Navy’s history as the longest serving aircraft carrier will retire after serving the country for nearly three decades. 

The ship, famously known as the 'Grand Old Lady', was with the British Royal Navy since 1959 before the Indian government bought it for Rs 6.5 crore in 1987.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and senior officer of the Indian Navy shall be attending the ceremonial send-off in Mumbai. The ship is being decommissioned at a solemn ceremony in Mumbai on Monday, where 21 of its 22 former commanders will be present.

The grand event will see the lowering and wrap-up of the naval flag installed on the warship at sunset, marking an end to a long sea odyssey lasting 55 years. 

If no buyer is found for the ship in four months, it will be broken up and sold for scrap, Navy Chief Sunil Lanba said on Monday.

In 1997, INS Vikrant was decommissioned after serving the country for over 36 years.