Fleet tanker INS Shakti inducted into Navy

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, said in Visakhapatnam that induction of Fleet Tanker INS Shakti would marks beginning of a new era of state-of-the-art technologies for the Indian Navy.

INS Shakti was commissioned at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

"The ship enhances the reach of the Navy well beyond the limits of the Indian Ocean," Verma said.

He congratulated the Fincantieri Shipyard of Italy, which constructed the tanker, for delivering it in time.

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Anup Singh said that INS Shakti would double the strength of the fleet at the Eastern Naval Command.

175 metres long and 32 metres wide, Shakti would be one of the largest ships of the Navy. It is capable of carrying over 15,000 tonnes of liquid cargo including fuels for ships and aircraft, as well as fresh water. It can also carry upto 500 tonnes of solid cargo, like provisions and ammunition.

It is fitted with indigenous Anti-Missile Defence Chaff system.

Post Master General, Visakhapatnam, Chandra Prakash released a special cover commemorating the commissioning.

Italian Ambassador to India Giacomo Sanfelice D'Monteforte and Chief of Naval Staff, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba too were present.

Later, talking to reporters after the commissioning ceremony, the Navy Chief said that INS Shakti, the second of the two fleet tankers built by Fincantieri Shipyard, would be the biggest tanker ship acquired by the Indian Navy.

Asked why the Navy opted for Italy to construct the tanker, ignoring traditional ally Russia, he said Italy had quoted a low price and offered high-end technology in the global tender.