INS Airavat, the fifth indigenously built Landing Ship Tank (Large) of the Indian Navy was commissioned by Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of the Naval Staff at the Naval Base here today, 19 May 09, at a colourful ceremony. On arrival at the Naval Jetty the Chief Guest was received by Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. The Chief of Naval Staff was presented a Fifty-man Guard and introduced to the Ships Officers thereafter. Following the inaugural and keynote addresses delivered by Rear Admiral K C Sekhar (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, and Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma respectively, Commander Manish Sharma, Commanding Officer INS Airavat, read out the Commissioning Warrant. Hoisting of the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant with the National Anthem being played marked the formal Commissioning Ceremony. Addressing the media personnel onboard Airavat, Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated the GRSE and other Indian PSUs like Bharat Electronics Medak, HAL, Keltron and private sector companies like Larsen and Toubro, Kirloskar, Godrej, and a host of small scale industries and sub-contractors who have contributed in building a fine ship. He said the ship would augment the operational capabilities and reach of the Eastern Naval Command, in addition to enhancing the amphibious and disaster relief potential of the Eastern Fleet. Induction of INS Airavat adds thrust to the Indian Navys ongoing drive for indigenous warship production. The ship measures 125 meters in length, 17.5 meters in breadth and displaces 5655 tons. Third of the Shardul Class of ships, INS Airavat is the most contemporary and fully indigenized LST (L) in the Indian Navy. In addition to its primary role of Amphibious Operations carrying Battle Tanks, troops and vehicles to hostile coasts, the ship also forms a potent assault platform with Rockets and Chaff launchers, Anti-aircraft guns, shoulder launched Surface to Air Missiles and an integral Sea King or an Advanced Light Helicopter. On the other end of the spectrum, the ship can also be tasked as a Fleet Tanker, for HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions or as a Hospital Ship. The improved aesthetics onboard Airavat, with the latest designs and marine grade material, vindicate the Navy's desire to provide better habitability to her men. Other Distinguished Guests on the Occasion included Vice Admiral Ganesh Mahadevan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, in addition to Flag Officers and Senior Officers, both serving and retired and the families of the Ships crew who were embarked the Ship on completion of the Ceremony for a brief sea sortie along with the attendant media personnel.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48778
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