Article Posted on : - Oct 12, 2010

The previous INS Shakti A57 which was decommissioned on 31 December 1975. Indian Navy photo.

SESTRI PONENTE, ITALY (BNS): INS Shakti, built for the Indian Navy was launched at an Italian shipyard in a colourful ceremony amid recitation of Vedic hymns.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri launched the second Fleet Tanker at the Sestri Ponente yard in Genova on Monday, according to the company news release.

Fincantieri had signed a 300 million euro contract in April 2008 to build two vessels.

The Fleet Tanker which is a supply and logistic support vessel has a displacement of 27500 tonnes and a propulsion system of two 10000 kW diesel engines enabling her to reach a maximum speed of 20 knots.

Notable features of the vessel are its propulsion system incorporating a shaft with adjustable pitch propellers and a flight deck for medium weight helicopters.

The tanker, equipped with double hatches, can refuel four vessels at the same time.

The INS Deepak, the first Fleet Tanker designed and built in Italy, is at an advanced stage of trials. It is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy at the end of 2010.

Both the fleet tankers have been built with double hulls to provide greater safety, thus avoiding the risk of pollution in case of collision or damage.

The Fleet Tankers would be the first warships in Indian waters made by Fincantieri, the premiere shipbuilding company in Europe.

The delivery of INS Shakti will take place at the end of next year.