Visakhapatnam, Oct 6 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named ‘INS Surya’, at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) here, in a major boost to the country’s maritime capabilities.
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 at HSL.
“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,” Singh said.
He said the milestones would strengthen HSL’s shipbuilding capacity and contribute to India’s maritime power.
Fleet Support Ships are designed to enhance the Navy’s operational reach and endurance by providing at-sea replenishment, logistics and sustained support to warships deployed for extended periods.
The FSS vessels, being indigenously designed and built by HSL, will have enhanced cargo and fluid capacities, first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck for multi-role helicopter operations and self-defence systems.
Singh said India’s objective should go beyond self-reliance to achieving global competitiveness in shipbuilding.
“Self-reliance is an important milestone, but global competitiveness is the next big leap,” he said, stressing the need for Indian shipyards to compete globally on quality, cost, technology, delivery and reliability.
The defence minister called upon HSL to become a benchmark for quality, productivity and timely delivery.
“Our goal should be simple and clear — design better, build faster, deliver on time, operate efficiently and do maintenance effectively,” he said.
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, is aimed at facilitating faster and more precise handling of heavier ship blocks.
Singh also called for Visakhapatnam to be developed as a major maritime industrial hub, citing the presence of the Eastern Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, HSL and Visakhapatnam Port as a strong foundation for an integrated maritime ecosystem.
He said Andhra Pradesh’s MSMEs, universities, technology companies and startups could play a larger role in developing a complete shipbuilding ecosystem around HSL.
The minister also emphasised greater integration among the Navy, HSL, DRDO, academia, industry, MSMEs and startups to strengthen India’s maritime capabilities.
Recalling the launch of ‘Jala Usha’, the first ship built in independent India, at Visakhapatnam in 1948, Singh described HSL as a custodian of the country’s maritime capability and noted its contribution to India’s defence and maritime requirements for more than eight decades.
He also highlighted HSL’s attainment of Miniratna Category-I status in 2025.
The event was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Andhra Pradesh Minister Janardhan Reddy, Visakhapatnam MP Sribharat Mathukumilli, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, and senior officials of the Navy and Defence Ministry.—(NVI)
