Chennai: Keeping with its tradition of inducting desi-built equipment and systems at a faster pace as compared to other Services, the Indian Navy on Tuesday launched the Floating Dock Navy (FDN-2) at Kattupalli near here.
The first such indigenously-built platform from Larsen & Toubro Shipyard was launched Anjali Deshpande, wife of Vice Admiral D M Deshpande, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, in tune with the naval traditions.
Built at a cost of around Rs 470 core, the FDN-2 boasts of state-of-the art machinery and control systems capable of docking warships of up to 8000 tonnes displacement.
Navy says it has high capacity ballast pumps, along with advanced automated Ballast Control System. The dock covers provided with the FDN-2 facilitate repair and refit activities in inclement weather conditions as well.
Vice Admiral DM Deshpande, who spoke on the occasion, commended L&T for their efforts in the design and construction of FDN-2.
He said the launch of FDN-2 bears testimony to the capabilities available in the country for realising the ‘Make in India’ vision.
Navy says once operational, FDN-2 will be commissioned at INS Jarawa in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Under the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Indian Navy already operates Floating Dock Navy (FDN-1), which is capable of docking warships of up to 8000 tonnes displacement.
The FDN-1 was built by IHHI of Japan in 1987 at a cost of Rs 20 crore, it can dock all Indian navy vessels except carriers and oil tankers.
