IndiaPosted at: Oct 7 2026 5:32PM


Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship launched at HSL; keel laid for fifth vessel

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) The Indian Navy’s blue-water operational capability received a boost with the launch of the first of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) being built indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
The first vessel, FSS-1, was launched in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking a significant milestone in the Navy’s efforts to strengthen its at-sea replenishment and long-range operational logistics capabilities.
In keeping with naval traditions, Laila Swaminathan, President of the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), launched the ship. The ceremony also saw the keel laying of FSS-5, the fifth vessel in the series, and the inauguration of an augmented slipway at HSL.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and senior officials from the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence, HSL and the defence industry attended the ceremony.
The Fleet Support Ships have been indigenously designed and built by HSL with more than 82 per cent indigenous content, reflecting growing collaboration among the Navy, shipyard, domestic defence industry and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The vessels are designed primarily to provide replenishment support to Indian Navy warships at sea. Their induction is expected to enhance the Navy’s ability to sustain deployed fleets over extended distances, thereby strengthening its blue-water capability and operational endurance.
The ships will play a critical role in replenishing fuel, stores and other essential supplies to fleet units operating far from their home ports. This is particularly significant for a navy with growing operational commitments across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Apart from their primary logistics role, the Fleet Support Ships will also be capable of undertaking Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).
Their ability to transport and deliver relief supplies and support evacuation of personnel is expected to give the Navy an additional capability during natural disasters, humanitarian crises and emergencies involving Indian nationals overseas.
The project is also being viewed as a major boost to India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem, with the high indigenous content reflecting the government’s emphasis on reducing dependence on foreign sources for critical naval platforms.
The construction of the Fleet Support Ships is part of the Navy’s broader push to expand its indigenous fleet and strengthen the country’s maritime logistics infrastructure under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.UNI PWS AAB
Tags: #Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship launched at HSL; keel laid for fifth vessel
More News

India's three proposals for ending Ukraine conflict -- safety of Black Sea shipping, grain and energy exports, non-attack understandings

08 Oct 2026 | 12:46 AM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) India has been holding "ongoing conversations" with both Russia and Ukraine towards resolving the Ukraine conflict, with New Delhi putting forth specific proposals including the safety of Black Sea shipping, keeping grain and energy exports flowing and “non-attack” possibilities.

see more..

CPI(M) chief MA Baby accuses Modi Govt of authoritarianism over crackdown on opposition protest

08 Oct 2026 | 12:23 AM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby on Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi government of “naked authoritarianism” and contempt for democratic rights, after Opposition MPs protesting against the Election Commission’s functioning were prevented from proceeding with their demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

see more..

PM-UDAY scheme gains momentum as mapping project gets approval: Delhi CM

07 Oct 2026 | 11:21 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) The implementation of the PM-UDAY Scheme, aimed at providing property rights to residents of Delhi’s unauthorised colonies, is set to gain fresh momentum, as the Central Government has approved a Rs 65-crore project under ‘DRISHTI’ (Delhi Revenue and Imaging Survey, Spatial Technology Initiative) to develop a modern geospatial/ GIS-based survey and mapping system in the national capital. .

see more..

PM Modi marks 25 years at the helm, seeks Advani's blessings and renews 'Viksit Bharat' pledge

07 Oct 2026 | 10:28 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years of uninterrupted service as head of a government by meeting veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani at his residence and seeking his blessings, bringing a personal touch to a milestone celebrated by the government as a defining chapter in his political journey.

see more..

Cong leader Devender Yadav alleges unauthorised Form 8 filing, seeks probe into electoral roll process

07 Oct 2026 | 10:15 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav on Wednesday alleged that a Form 8 seeking correction of his electoral roll particulars was submitted before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of Badli Assembly constituency without his knowledge or authorisation, and demanded a probe into the matter.

see more..