what happens to INS Viraat after it's retirement may be by 2018. will go for 5th major refit to extend it's service or after 2018 will it be completely refit and make a new carrier out of it, just like Admiral Gorshkov and Varyaag getting second life, can INS Viraat get third life ?
Hi mahesh,
An equipment or system such as a warship beyond a certain point of time of operating becomes economical unfeasible to operate thereafter so is the retirement.
India is now capable of building it's own aircraft carriers like newly built Vikrant which is almost finished in by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). So can Viraat be renewed completely.
Should be possible but not feasible
another question :- building brand new aircraft carrier and completely refitting old carrier which will cost the most and the fast (completion),
It will depend upon the amount of refitting required on the ship, if u get a ready made hull for the exact purpose its a Bingo, all you might need is to carry on with further works of fitting the equipment and systems on it. But if it is a half carrier like that of Admiral Gorshkov you will need to cut steel for making space, remove unnecessary equipment, add on the super structure, this is definitely going to increase cost and time, the expense of refitting will depend on the amount and nature of refit required. Refitting an old carrier will be depended on feasibility study so refitting an old carrier should cost less then a brand new carrier,
just take an example in practical life: a crumpled car, a man will make a feasibility study upon its cost of repairing and value for money from it and decide either to repair it or go for a new car with consent of his available budget.
does India care to buy any American super carrier after their decommission
I don't think India will be interested to buy a peace ship for its navy, She requires warships it is believed that INS Jalashwa is sold to India with an assurance not to engage her(INS Jalashwa) in war time use, The US navy is not known to trade her aircraft carriers either because US wont permit it going for war tie duties which defeats its purpose of buying or US don't have have a policy to sell aircraft carriers.