INS Viraat will be broken up in 4 months if there's no buyer: Navy chief

March 06, 2017 09:39

Aircraft carrier INS Viraat, to be decommissioned today, will be broken up in 4 months if there's no buyer: Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba has told NDTV.

Another option, the naval chief said, would be to sink INS Viraat, converting her into a tourist hub for divers. The proposal, though, is yet to be forwarded to the government.

Defence ministry had earlier this year indicated that it may be forced to scrap the 27,800-tonne carrier, which saw operational service in the Royal British Navy for 27 years before being inducted by the Indian Navy in 1987, because of the continuing imbroglio with the Andhra Pradesh government over who will foot the bill for converting it into a museum.

According to media reports, it will cost almost Rs 1,000 crore to convert the 13-storey high INS Viraat into an aircraft carrier museum, with a proper final resting place or berthing, backed by a self-sustaining revenue model. The Andhra government is willing to take the carrier but is demanding the MoD foot half the cost.

The MoD, in turn, says it can provide technical help and advice, not major funding for the project.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Another Indian arrested in Canada in Nijjar murder case

Amardeep Singh, 22, a resident of Brampton, Surrey, and Abbotsford areas of Canada, has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Play-off berth sealed, KKR's winning mantra revealed!

The key to Kolkata Knight Riders success this season lies in their players' newfound ability to support each other through highs and lows, something that was "missing" over the past two years, feels the team's vice-captain Nitish Rana.

Ananya, Suhana, AbRam Cheer KKR!

Co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was not present at the Eden Gardens but his kids Suhana and AbRam cheered for the Knights from the stands.

'Mummy Was Truly Our Universe'

To share your Mother's Day story with us, please mail us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject: Mother's Day) along with your name, the place where you live, your mother's name and picture and your message about your mom.

Starc Or Varma: Whose Run Out Was Better?

There were some magical moments in the field from both teams that brought fans and franchise owners to their feet.