INS Shakti inducted into Indian Navy

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma said on Saturday that all possible measures were being taken to enhance the coastal security in the country.

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma said on Saturday that all possible measures were being taken to enhance the coastal security in the country.

The naval surveillance along the coast across the country was strengthened, in association with the Indian Coast Guard, and the marine police in respective states, including Andhra Pradesh.

“Awareness camps on security were also being held among fishermen’s community to reach their targets,” he said. “However, as part of the security enhancement, 29 MIG 29K aircraft, and 16 helicopters, would be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2013. Earlier, 12 fighters and 4 trainee aircraft of this class had been acquired,” he added.

Admiral Verma was in the city on Saturday to witness the commissioning of the INS Shakti, the Indian Navy’s fourth fleet tanker, and the second of the two fleet tankers built by M/s Fincantieri Shipyard, Italy, for the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard, here.

The construction of the INS Shakti commenced in November 2009 in Italy. The ship is 175 metres in length, and 32 metres wide. The ship is fitted with a credible self-defence capability, and an indigenous Anti Missile Defence Chaff System.

While interacting with media persons on the occasion, the Navy chief said that Italy was also extending cooperation for another aircraft carrier, which is currently being built by the Cochin shipyard. “The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, would be delivered to the Indian Navy as per schedule,” he added. Admiral Verma congratulated the Fincantieri Shipyard, Indian PSUs like Bharat Electronics, and HAL, and a host of small scale industries and sub-contractors, for their contribution in building the largest ship of the Indian Navy, INS Shakti.

Eastern Naval Command chief, Vice Admiral Anup Singh, and president of the Fincantieri Shipyard, Corrado Antonini delivered keynote addresses. The INS Shakti’s captain is commanding officer Ravi Malhotra.

Post Master General of Visakhapatnam, Chandra Prakash released a special cover on behalf of Indian Postal service. The Italian Ambassador to India, Giacomo Sanfelice D Monteforte was also present.