Mumbai:
The Navy has a new addition - the INS Deepak was commissioned by Defence Minister AK Antony this morning.
The tanker for refuelling ships was constructed and delivered in a record 27 months.
The INS Deepak can refuel four ships simultaneously.
INS Deepak, the Italian-built fleet tanker, is 175-metre long and 25-metre wide. It can carry 15,250 tonnes of liquid cargo, 510 tonnes of ammunition, missiles, and rockets.
"It is a great moment for Indian Navy and 2011 will see more acquisitions and commissioning to strengthen the maritime security," Antony said after unveiling the ship's name plaque, marking the formal induction of INS Deepak.
He said that Navy has embarked on an ambitious ship-building programme to provide it with the required maritime assets to meet its mandate.
"Indian defence shipyards are working to their full capacity to meet the country's warship requirements," he said.
"India's continued presence in Indian Ocean waters necessitates pursuing our strategic and diplomatic interests; for which a ship such as Deepak, with an ability to sustain the Indian fleets at sea for prolonged periods, is a vital asset," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
The tanker for refuelling ships was constructed and delivered in a record 27 months.
The INS Deepak can refuel four ships simultaneously.
INS Deepak, the Italian-built fleet tanker, is 175-metre long and 25-metre wide. It can carry 15,250 tonnes of liquid cargo, 510 tonnes of ammunition, missiles, and rockets.
"It is a great moment for Indian Navy and 2011 will see more acquisitions and commissioning to strengthen the maritime security," Antony said after unveiling the ship's name plaque, marking the formal induction of INS Deepak.
He said that Navy has embarked on an ambitious ship-building programme to provide it with the required maritime assets to meet its mandate.
"Indian defence shipyards are working to their full capacity to meet the country's warship requirements," he said.
"India's continued presence in Indian Ocean waters necessitates pursuing our strategic and diplomatic interests; for which a ship such as Deepak, with an ability to sustain the Indian fleets at sea for prolonged periods, is a vital asset," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
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