The Indian Navy is planning to decommission its lone aircraft carrier warship, INS Virat, by 2018.

The 226.5m-long INS Virat is a Centaur Class aircraft carrier with a full load displacement capacity of 28,700t that can cruise at a speed of 28kt, while also being capable of operating fighter jets.

A senior navy official said two aircraft carriers, the Russian-built INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) were expected to be inducted in service by 2017.

“After receiving the two warships, we will go ahead with the decommissioning of INS Virat,” the official added.

INS Virat has been in service with the navy for the last 50 years and has undergone a number of upgrades for operational use till 2018.

The $2.33bn INS Vikramaditya is currently undergoing refurbishment in Russia, according to the Press Trust of India.

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