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Who Bought HMS Hermes?
Introduction
HMS Hermes was a British aircraft carrier that served in the Royal Navy from 1959 to 1984. It played a key role in various conflicts, including the Falklands War in 1982, before being decommissioned and sold for scrap.
However, its story didn’t end there. In this article, we explore who bought HMS Hermes and what happened to it afterwards.
The Sale of HMS Hermes
In 1986, the Indian government bought HMS Hermes from its scrap dealer for £1.6 million, with the intention of converting it into a museum and tourist attraction. The Indian Navy inspected the vessel and found it to be in relatively good condition, despite being stripped of most of its weapons and systems.
The Renaming of INS Viraat
After some refurbishment work, HMS Hermes was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Viraat (“giant” in Sanskrit) on May 12, 1987. It replaced another ex-British carrier, INS Vikrant, which had served since 1961 but was deemed too old and small for modern requirements.
The Service of INS Viraat
INS Viraat served as the flagship of the Indian Navy for more than two decades. It underwent several upgrades over the years, including new radars, sensors, and weapons systems. It participated in various exercises and operations with other navies around the world.
The Retirement of INS Viraat
In March 2017, INS Viraat was decommissioned after more than 30 years of service. It was the oldest serving aircraft carrier in the world at that time, having surpassed the record of HMS Hermes. The Indian Navy cited the high cost of maintenance and the lack of spares as the reasons for its retirement.
The Fate of INS Viraat
After INS Viraat was decommissioned, there were several proposals for its future. Some suggested that it could be preserved as a museum or a memorial, while others proposed that it could be used as a diving site or even a hotel. However, none of these plans materialized.
In July 2020, it was reported that INS Viraat had been sold for scrap to a shipbreaker in Alang, Gujarat. The price was not disclosed but estimated to be around Rs 38 crore ($5 million). The process of dismantling the vessel began shortly thereafter, sparking mixed reactions among veterans, historians, and enthusiasts.
Conclusion
HMS Hermes may have ended its career as a British warship in 1984, but its legacy lived on through its sale to India and its transformation into INS Viraat. While some may lament the scrapping of such an iconic vessel, others may see it as a natural end to its long and eventful journey.