Fleet tanker INS Deepak inducted into Navy

Mumbai, Jan 21 (PTI) INS Deepak, an Italian-built fleettanker, was today commissioned into the Navy by DefenceMinister A K Antony, who said the current year will see moreacquisitions and commissioning of vessels to strengthenmaritime security.

The 175-metre long and 25-metre wide tanker wascommissioned at the Naval Dockyard here.

"It is a great moment for Indian Navy and 2011 will seemore acquisitions and commissioning to strengthen the maritimesecurity," Antony said after unveiling the ship''s name plaque,marking the formal induction of INS Deepak.

He said that Navy has embarked on an ambitiousship-building programme to provide it with the requiredmaritime assets to meet its mandate.

"Indian defence shipyards are working to their fullcapacity to meet the country''s warship requirements," he said.

"India''s continued presence in Indian Ocean watersnecessitates pursuing our strategic and diplomatic interests;for which a ship such as Deepak, with an ability to sustainthe Indian fleets at sea for prolonged periods, is a vitalasset," he added.

The ship has a capacity to carry 15,450 tonnes of liquidcargo, 510 tonnes of solid cargo. It has 16 cargo containerson the upper deck and can provide fuel to four shipssimultaneously. The solid cargo could be a combination ofammunition including missiles and rockets, and dry provisionsfor the fleet. .