Decommissioned INS Vikrant to be auctioned

New Delhi –  The Defence Ministry has initiated the process for the auctioning of the decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

A decision to this effect was taken after the Maharashtra Government expressed its inability to maintain the ship.

Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha said if anyone wanted to convert the ship into a museum, the Navy would extend full help.

He said the last date for receiving bids for the auction is December 14.

The INS Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, and was commissioned in 1961.

It was decommissioned in January 1997.

It played  a significant role during India’s 1971 war with Pakistan that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.