IndiaPosted at: Oct 6 2026 8:07PM


Def Min launches 1st indigenous Fleet Support Ship ‘INS Surya’ at HSL

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today launched the first indigenous Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named INS Surya, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in a major step towards enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational reach and strengthening the country’s indigenous shipbuilding capability.
During his visit to HSL, Singh also laid the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane, marking a simultaneous expansion of the shipyard’s infrastructure and capacity to undertake larger and more complex naval shipbuilding programmes.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said the three milestones represented different dimensions of India’s growing maritime capability. “The launch of FSS1 is a symbol of achievement, keel laying of FSS5 is a symbol of resolve and the new Slipway is a symbol of our growing capability,” he said.
He said HSL was strengthening not only its shipbuilding capacity but also the foundation of India’s maritime power.
Recalling the launch of Jala Usha, the first ship built in independent India at Visakhapatnam in 1948, Singh highlighted the country’s longstanding maritime heritage and described HSL as a custodian of India’s national maritime capability.
Highlighting the Fleet Support Ship programme, Singh said the vessels would significantly enhance the Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.
A Navy operating for extended periods in distant maritime areas requires not only warships but also logistics and sustained support, he said, pointing that Fleet Support Ships provide this capability through at-sea replenishment and other operational support.
Singh said the launch of FSS-1 was an important step towards enhancing the Navy’s operational reach, while the keel laying of FSS-5 represented another foundation for India’s maritime future.
INS Surya was launched following traditional honours performed by Ms Laila Swaminathan, President, Navy Wives Wellness Association. The vessel entered the waters of the Bay of Bengal amid cheers from the gathering.
Designed and built indigenously by HSL, the Fleet Support Ships will have enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, onboard first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck capable of supporting Multi-Role Helicopter operations and self-defence systems.
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 designed and manufactured by L&T Geostructure in collaboration with Konecranes under the Make in India initiative. Equipped with PLC controls, Variable Frequency Drives, tandem lifting, remote diagnostics and condition monitoring, the crane is expected to facilitate faster and more precise handling of heavier ship blocks.
Emphasising the need to move beyond self-reliance towards global competitiveness, Singh said, “Self-reliance is an important milestone, but global competitiveness is the next big leap.”
He said Indian shipyards should be able to compete with leading global shipyards on quality, cost, technology, delivery and reliability.
Calling for HSL to become more closely integrated with Andhra Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem, Singh said the State’s MSMEs could become suppliers, universities could contribute to research and skill development, technology companies could support digital shipbuilding, while startups could develop maritime technologies.
He called for the creation of a complete shipbuilding ecosystem around HSL, supported by logistics, port infrastructure, research, technology and skilled manpower. UNI PWS SS
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