Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named Surya, and laid the keel of the fifth vessel, FSS-5, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on October 6.
The 43,500-tonne Fleet Support Ships are being built to provide at-sea replenishment to Indian Navy warships, carrying fuel, water, ammunition and other stores. The capability will allow naval vessels to remain deployed for longer periods without returning to port, strengthening operational endurance across the Indian Ocean Region.
FSS-1 Surya entered the waters of the Bay of Bengal following its launch ceremony. The ships are designed and built indigenously by HSL and will feature enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, onboard first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck for multi-role helicopter operations and self-defence systems.
The keel-laying of FSS-5 marks further progress in the five-ship Fleet Support Ship programme and its move towards series production. The contract for five vessels was signed with HSL in August 2023, with deliveries planned to begin from mid-2027.
Singh also inaugurated an upgraded Slipway-4 and a new 300-tonne Goliath crane at HSL. The upgraded facilities will enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes, expanding its ability to handle larger and more complex shipbuilding projects.
The developments are expected to strengthen HSL’s shipbuilding capacity and support India’s broader push for indigenous maritime and defence manufacturing. They also underline the growing importance of domestic infrastructure for building large naval platforms and support vessels.
Singh described the launch of FSS-1 as a milestone of achievement, the keel-laying of FSS-5 as a sign of resolve and the upgraded slipway as an indication of HSL’s growing shipbuilding capability.