New Delhi: Indian Navy on Friday categorically denied reports that inferior quality steel was used by Italian company Fincantieri in the construction of a naval tanker.
"All things were followed diligently and all approvals taken. No inferior material was used in the construction of INS Deepak. Everything is of top quality," Navy PRO Captain DK Sharma told reporters.
He also rejected reports which said an inquiry was ordered and that files related to the tankers were being reopened.
The allegations were that inferior quality of steel was used by the Italian firm Fincantieri - a Finmeccanica subsidiary like AgustaWestland - which caused an incident on board the tanker in 2010.
"MoD has not opened any inquiry into navy tankers with so called sub standard steel," PTI quoted unnamed defence ministry sources as saying.
However, the deal had come under criticism of the CAG in 2010.
A source in the Navy said a few minor cracks were observed on the superstructure when the ship was coming back from Russia with aircraft carrier Vikramaditya.
"The cracks probably occurred due to a combination of factors like sub-zero temp in the region, heavy sea, stormy conditions among others. The repairs were carried out in Lisbon by original equipment manufacturer and the ship was made ready in a few hours.
"Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause was conducted and there was no material failure found. The ship is fully operational since and has been deployed extensively," the source said adding the ship is now deployed in the Persian Gulf.
(With PTI inputs)
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