INS Viraat has completed 25 years in the Indian Navy. HMS Hermes became INS Viraat on May 12, 1987, under the command of Captain (later Vice Admiral) Vinod Pasricha. Commissioned in November 1959 as HMS Hermes, INS Viraat had then completed 28 years in the Royal Navy.

The commissioning signal from the Naval Headquarters then said: “Your commissioning today marks an important milestone in the development of our Navy’s blue water capability. May your operational prowess match your gigantic name and good fortune attend on you wherever you may sail. I wish all officers and men a happy, challenging and rewarding commission”.

Likewise, the message from the crew of the Hermes read: “Bringing forward HMS Hermes for handover to the Indian Navy and commissioning as INS Viraat. It is with a mixture of sadness, pride and confidence that we today handover this magnificent ship to the Indian Navy; sadness in that we with our happy memories witness her passing from the Royal Navy, pride in the capabilities noting that she will be in good hands and confident that she will prove equal and worthy of all the aspirations the Indian Navy have for her as Viraat. The Captain, officers and ships company of HMS Hermes congratulate the Captain, officers and ships company on the majesty of INS Viraat and may good fortune attend all who sail in her quest to control the sea and be all powerful.”

INS Viraat is one of the longest serving aircraft carriers in the history of naval operations anywhere in the world.

All major refits of Viraat have been undertaken by the Cochin Shipyard Limited. The extension of the ship’s life far beyond initial expectations stands as a testimony to the high levels of workmanship and dedication of the yard staff at the Cochin Shipyard.