Rajnath Singh launches indigenous fleet support ship ‘Surya’ in Visakhapatnam

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has formally launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS 1) at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant advancement in India's indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities. The event also saw the laying of the keel for FSS-5 and the inauguration of critical infrastructure upgrades at the facility. The launch of FSS-1 is particularly notable for its operational timeline, having reached the water just 18 months after the initial steel-cutting phase. As the first of five planned support vessels, the 43,500-tonne ship is designed for underway replenishment, a critical capability that allows the Indian Navy to resupply warships at sea, thereby extending its operational endurance and strategic reach across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Beyond the vessel launches, the Ministry of Defence has significantly expanded the physical capacity of the shipyard. The inauguration of the upgraded Slipway-4, paired with a new 300-tonne Goliath Crane, represents a structural shift in HSL's production limits. The extended length and increased load-bearing capacity of the slipway now enable the yard to construct and launch vessels weighing up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched ‘Surya’, India’s first indigenously-built fleet support ship in Visakhapatnam. He also laid the keel for the fifth ship in the series and inaugurated upgraded infrastructure at Hindustan Shipyard Limited. These developments aim to enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities and self-reliance in naval shipbuilding. Additionally, Rajnath announced the establishment of a second production line for Shakti engines in Koraput.

The Defence Minister stated that the Fleet Support Ship programme would strengthen the Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched ‘Surya’, India’s first indigenous fleet support ship, at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, marking a major step in the Navy’s efforts to strengthen its reach and endurance at sea.‘Surya’ is the first of five fleet support ships being built at a cost of ₹19,000 crore. A warship’s launch is a significant stage in its construction as it marks the vessel entering the water for the first time. Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was present at the event.A Bigger Maritime Ambition“India needs strong maritime capability. Our goal is to go beyond self-reliance and become a global maritime power,” Singh said.The launch underlines India’s growing focus on building critical naval platforms at home. More importantly, the fleet support ships will help the Navy remain at sea for longer periods, an increasingly important capability as its fleet expands and its responsibilities in the Indian Ocean region grow.Singh also laid the keel of another fleet support ship and inaugurated an upgraded slipway and a 300-tonne crane at the public sector shipyard. The Defence Ministry said the infrastructure would strengthen HSL’s capacity to build larger and more complex vessels while supporting India’s maritime capabilities.Keeping Warships At Sea LongerHSL is expected to deliver ‘Surya’ to the Navy next year, while the remaining vessels are expected to follow at the rate of one every 10 months.The fleet support vessels will be 225 metres long and 32 metres wide. They will replenish warships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and stores, allowing the naval fleet to operate for prolonged periods without returning to harbour.“The launch of FSS-1 (Surya) is a symbol of achievement, keel laying of FSS-5 is a symbol of resolve and the new slipway is a symbol of our growing capability… Our goal should be to design better, build faster, and deliver on time,” Singh said.Expanding Fleet Needs More SupportThe Navy currently operates four fleet support vessels commissioned between 1996 and 2011. It needs additional support ships as its fleet expands and its roles and responsibilities in the Indian Ocean region increase.The five new vessels are therefore more than an addition to the Navy’s numbers. Their ability to replenish ships at sea can give the fleet greater operational flexibility and reduce the need for warships to frequently return to harbour for essential supplies.“Self-reliance is an important milestone, but global competitiveness is the next big leap,” Singh said, stressing that Indian shipyards must meet global benchmarks in quality, cost, technology, delivery and reliability, Hindustan Times reports.The Navy is working towards achieving full self-reliance by 2047, when India completes 100 years of independence.What Is The Red-Coloured Drink Rahul Gandhi Offered Priyanka To Drink At INDIA BLOC Protest Against CEC Site?HSL Gets Bigger Shipbuilding MuscleHSL’s Slipway-4 has been extended and strengthened to allow the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT), according to the Defence Ministry.The new 300-tonne Goliath crane, spanning Slipways 3 and 4, will allow faster and more precise handling of heavier blocks used in modern block construction.“The new infrastructure will strengthen HSL’s ability to undertake larger and more complex shipbuilding programmes and support modern block construction,” the ministry said.Together, the launch of ‘Surya’, construction of additional fleet support ships and expansion of HSL’s infrastructure point to a broader effort to strengthen both the Navy’s ability to sustain operations at sea and India’s domestic capacity to build increasingly complex vessels.

The upgraded Slipway-4, with its extended length and enhanced load-bearing capability, supported by the goliath crane will enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT

The 43,500-tonne vessel built with 82% Indian content at Hindustan Shipyard can refuel and resupply several warships at sea at once; the keel of the fifth ship in the series was laid at the same ceremony

The Ministry stated that the upgraded Slipway-4, with its extended length and enhanced load-bearing capability, supported by the 300-tonne Goliath Crane, will enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT