Commissioning of INS Shakti (A57)

Date of Issue: October 01, 2011

A Special Cover commemorating Commissioning of INS Shakti was issued by Andhra Pradesh Circle of India Post.

INS Shakti (A57) - a Deepak Class Replenishment Fleet Tanker built by Fincantieri, Italy, can carry 15,000 tonnes of different varieties of fuel for ships and aircraft and 500 tonnes of dry cargo, including ammunition and provisions for the fleet to take up multiple ship replenishment operations simultaneously. It also has workshop facilities to provide frontline support to fleet ships and can operate heavy helicopters.

It is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors an electronic warfare suite, most of it being indigenous. It was designed to operate as a command platform, according to the Navy.

Commanding Officer of the ship Capt. Ravi Malhotra read out the ‘Commissioning Warrant' and the naval ensign was hoisted on board for the first time and breaking the commissioning pennant as the National Anthem was played, marked the formal commissioning of the ship.

Text Source: The Hindu - October 2, 2011