Article Posted on : - Jan 21, 2011

Fleet tanker INS Deepak.

MUMBAI (PTI): INS Deepak, an Italian-built fleet tanker, was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Defence Minister A K Antony Friday who said the year will see more acquisitions and commissioning of vessels to strengthen maritime security.

The tanker was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

"It is a great moment for Indian Navy and 2011 will see more acquisitions and commissioning to strengthen the maritime security," Antony said.

He unveiled the ship's name plaque, marking the formal induction of INS Deepak into the Indian Navy.

The 175-metre long and 25-metre wide ship has a capacity to carry 15,450 tonnes of liquid cargo, 510 tonnes of solid cargo and 16 cargo containers on the upper deck.

The Western fleet tanker has state-of-the-art aviation facilities and can operate various types of helicopters from its deck. The ship has been built by Italian company Fincantieri.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Chief of Naval staff Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma and Vice-Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, the flag officer commanding in Chief of Western Naval Command and other dignitaries.