[sukhoi-30mki]

Make that more like 50 years; the INS Vikrant was inducted in 1961 and pensioned off in 1997.

[Jeff Head]

You are exactly right. The carrier that prceeded the Viraat was also named the Vikrant (which will be the neame of the 1st indegenous carrier) and was another carrier purchased from the UK and used for many years 36 to be exact). She was formerlly a UK Majestic class Carrier built in WWII, the HMS HErcules, launched in 1945 I believe.

Ultimately she carried helos, Sea HArriers, and a prop driven, French ASW aircraft. She was used in the bloackade of East Palisyan in 1971.

She's now preserved as a Museum.