NEW DELHI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- India is rejuvenating its aircraft carrier INS Viraat, the flagship of the Indian navy, in the southern port city of Kochi in preparation for its golden jubilee, said the local daily The Hindu on Sunday.

    The aircraft carrier is being tended by a team of rejuvenation experts at the repair dock of the Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, in preparation for celebrating the golden jubilee its commissioning into the Royal British Navy as HMS Hermes in 1959, said the report.

    India bought the 28,700-ton warship in 1986, after it participated in the Falkland's War in 1981, and commissioned it into the Indian Navy in 1987.

    The aircraft carrier will go through major modernization and upgrade of systems before heading home to Mumbai in July, said the report.

    The report quoted Captain Anil Kumar Chawla, the commander of INS Viraat, as saying the ship, the keel and basic underwater hull are very strong.

    But a major overhaul in its propulsion system, comprising two steam turbines, is being undertaken, the boilers are being retubed and main engines overhauled. The vessel's electronic systems like radars, landing aids and communication equipment are being upgraded as well, said the report.

    India is also building a home-made aircraft carrier in Kochi and negotiating with Russia the purchase of another in order to build a true blue water navy fleet.