The Navy wanted the Viraat back in service as quickly as possible because of continued delays in delivery of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.
Gorshkov, who lived in a tent in the woods, spent six years following them as they hunted for salmon, paddled in a lake and walked for miles through forests.
The Indian Navy official said the service hopes to have the Gorshkov and the homemade Air Defense Ship on line by 2015, when the Viraat will be nearing the end of its service life.