INS Viraat

   HMS Hermes was commissioned into the Royal Navy in November 1959, having been built at Barrow-in-Furness between 1944-53. Four years after playing a crucial role in the liberation of the Falklands, Hermes was sold to India. Refitted, the ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy as the Viraat in May 1987. Refitted again from July 1999 to December 2000, Viraat returned to the fleet in June 2001.

   Modifications since its Falklands days include the substitution of Russian AK-230 six-barrel 30-mm guns for the old Sea Cat SAM system (these may in turn be replaced by Kashtan CIWS); new fire control, search and navigation radars; new deck-landing aids; improved NBC protection; conversion of boilers to use distillate fuel; and after 2001, the IAI/Rafael Barak SAM. Like Hermes, Viraat is fitted to carry up to 750 troops and four LCVPs are carried for amphibious landings, and in addition up to 80 lightweight torpedoes can be carried in the magazine. However, Viraat may be retired early now that India has finally completed a deal with Russia to buy the Kiev class carrier Admiral Gorshkov and with it, a number of MiG-29K fighters - a $700 million refit and through-deck conversation for the Gorshkov was completed in 2008. It is expected to be commissioned by 2012 as INS Vikramaditya. The Sea Harriers carried by the Viraat are scheduled for modernization too but this may be shelved with the advent of the MiG-29Ks.