Aircraft carrier INS Viraat sails into history - In Pics

Mumbai: INS Viraat, the world's oldest serving aircraft carrier, sailed into pages of history on Monday with the final lowering of the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pendant in a solemn ceremony at sundown.

The formal decommissioning function was presided over by Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, past and present officers from the Indian Navy and Royal Navy, dignitaries and others, marking the culmination of several pre-decommissioning functions in the past few days.

INS Viraat was the second centaur-class aircraft carrier which was in service with Indian Navy for nearly 30 years.

The aircraft carrier, in its earlier avatar, 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 November 1959 to April 1984 and after refurbishment, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

In the late 80s, Indian Navy purchased it at the cost of USD 65 million and was re-commissioned on 12 May 1987.

Following are some pictures of the warship and of the ceremony held today (courtesy - @indiannavy):

#INSViraat The grand old lady had spent almost 7 yrs at sea in 30 yrs svc with IN & covered the globe 27times (~dist) @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/GbI3by3W3z — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 27, 2017

#INSViraat Countdown 2glorious innings of mighty Carrier begins,5days 2go. 58 yrs svc 1959-87as Hermes&1987-2017 as Viraat @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/QsD1mBRWze — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 1, 2017

#INSViraat Countdown 4days2go.This aircraft carrier holds the Guinness Book record 4 longest serving warship of the world. @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/19GMbDULE1 — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 2, 2017

#INSViraat Countdown 2 days 2 go...Life on board the Carrier.....The Temp inside Boiler room often touches 50°C @SpokespersonMoD 1/n pic.twitter.com/omxxYizikm

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 4, 2017

#INSViraat Design&Stability allowed her 2launch&recover ac in rough seas when weather forced warships 2suspend air ops @SpokespersonMoD 1/n pic.twitter.com/glbLSnoYF0 — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 4, 2017

#INSViraat End of an Era. Adm S Lanba CNS & Adm Sir Phillip Jones 1st Sea Lord Royal Navy 2attend Decommissioning ceremony @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/kn0MRRURRN — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 5, 2017

#INSViraat Of the 22 CO's at the helm of Viraat since 1987, 21 to attend the Decommissioning Ceremony. What a send off..@SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/bkaDHDEAMO — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 5, 2017

#INSViraat Countdown1day2go Adm Sunil Lanba CNS & Adm Sir Philip Jones 1st Sea Lord to attend Decommissioning ceremony @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/AFZLksZMmf

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 5, 2017

#INSViraat The last post shall be sounded at 6:45pm and the ship sails into the pages of glorious maritime history @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/59GrZjEEPC — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 6, 2017

@SpokespersonMoD Down comes the Commissioning pennant. #INSViraat Decommissioned pic.twitter.com/sgt80ZthP2 — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 6, 2017