States » SouthPosted at: Oct 6 2026 8:59PM


AP: Rajnath launches first Fleet Support Ship, lays keel for fifth FSS at HSL in Vizag

Visakhapatnam, Oct 6 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), laid the keel for the fifth FSS (FSS-5) and inaugurated an upgraded Slipway-4 and 300-tonne Goliath Crane at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) here, strengthening the shipyard's capacity to build larger and more complex vessels.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh said the three milestones would strengthen HSL's shipbuilding capabilities and contribute to India's maritime power.
"The launch of FSS-1 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," he said.
Recalling the launch of Jala Usha, the first ship built in independent India, at Visakhapatnam in 1948, Singh highlighted HSL's contribution to the country's maritime and defence requirements over more than eight decades.
He said the shipyard's attainment of Miniratna Category-I status in 2025 reflected its transformation and sustained efforts.
Highlighting the Fleet Support Ship programme, Singh said the vessels would enhance the Navy's reach, endurance and operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region by providing at-sea replenishment, logistics and maintenance support.
The first Fleet Support Ship, named Surya, was launched following traditional honours performed by Laila Swaminathan, President, Navy Wives Wellness Association.
The indigenously designed and built vessels will feature enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck for multi-role helicopter operations and self-defence systems.
The ship, however, is yet to undergo balance construction, superstructure and equipment fitment, contractor's trials, handing over and acceptance by the Navy, followed by full trials and commissioning.
The vessel is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2028.
The upgraded Slipway-4 has been extended and strengthened to enable HSL to build and launch ships of up to 45,000 DWT.
The 300-tonne Goliath Crane spanning Slipways 3 and 4 has been manufactured by L&T Geostructure with Konecranes under the Make in India initiative.
It is equipped with PLC controls, variable frequency drives, tandem lifting, remote diagnostics and condition monitoring systems.
Singh said self-reliance was an important milestone but global competitiveness should be the next goal for Indian shipyards.

He stressed the need for Indian shipyards to compete globally on quality, cost, technology, delivery and reliability.
He called for closer integration of HSL with Andhra Pradesh's industrial ecosystem, saying MSMEs, universities, technology companies and startups could contribute to research, skill development, digital shipbuilding and maritime technologies.
The Defence Minister also called for developing Visakhapatnam as a major Maritime Industrial Hub by bringing together naval expertise, shipbuilding capabilities, port infrastructure, engineering talent and skilled manpower.
He stressed the need for an integrated national maritime ecosystem involving the Navy, HSL, DRDO, academia, industry, MSMEs and startups.
Singh identified timely delivery, productivity, indigenous design capability, supply chain resilience, skilled manpower, capacity and cost competitiveness as key areas for strengthening India's global shipbuilding position.
He called on HSL to make timely delivery an organisational priority, strengthen indigenous design capabilities, build partnerships with MSMEs and startups and develop lifecycle capabilities in ship repair and maintenance.
He said India's maritime ambitions should go beyond self-reliance to global competitiveness, with Indian shipyards aspiring to serve friendly nations and international markets in maritime technology, ship repair, maintenance and engineering services.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads, Buildings, Infrastructure and Development Janardhan Reddy, Visakhapatnam MP Sribharat Mathukumilli, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Eastern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla and HSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral C Raghuram (Retd), among others, attended the programme.
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Tags: #AP: Rajnath launches first Fleet Support Ship# lays keel for fifth FSS at HSL in Vizag
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