New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS1), named ‘INS Surya’, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on October 6, 2026. The launch marks a major step towards strengthening logistics support for the Indian Navy.
On the same occasion, Rajnath Singh laid the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and the 300-tonne Goliath Crane. The new infrastructure will help HSL undertake larger and more complex shipbuilding programmes.
FSS1 is a mark of success, keel laying of FSS5 is a mark of determination, and new slipway is a mark of increased capacity, the Defence Minister said.
The Fleet Support Ships (FSS) project is being initiated with the objective to enhance the operational range and capabilities of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region. These ships will provide vital services like fuel supply and other services, refueling at sea, and maintenance support services, thus making the naval vessels to remain operational for long durations in distant maritime areas.
FSS1 ‘Surya’ was launched following traditional honours by Smt. Laila Swaminathan, President of the (NWWA) Navy Welfare and Wellness Association, before entering the Bay of Bengal. Designed and built indigenously by HSL, the ships will have enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, onboard first line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck for multi role helicopter operations and self defence systems.
Slipway 4 has been extended and strengthened to allow construction and launch of ships up to 45,000 DWT. The new 300-tonne Goliath Crane, made in India by L&T Geostructure with Konecranes, will enable faster and more precise handling of heavier blocks for modern block construction.
Rajnath Singh called for HSL to be integrated with Andhra Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem and for Visakhapatnam, with the Eastern Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, HSL and port, to be developed as a major Maritime Industrial Hub.
‘Our goal should be simple and clear Design better, Build faster, Deliver on time, Operate efficiently and do Maintenance effectively,’ he said, stressing that Indian shipyards must move from self reliance to global competitiveness.
The event was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Andhra Pradesh Minister Janardhan Reddy, MP Sribharat Mathukumilli, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Eastern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Coast Guard’s Additional Director General Donny Michael, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Shipyard Limited Rear Admiral C Raghuram (Retd) and senior officials.
