VISAKHAPATNAM, OCT 6: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched INS Surya, the first indigenous Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen naval logistics, operational endurance and domestic shipbuilding capabilities.
During the programme, 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. Describing the three developments as milestones with wider strategic significance, he said the launch of FSS-1 represented achievement, the keel laying of FSS-5 reflected resolve, while the new infrastructure demonstrated India’s growing shipbuilding capability.
The Defence Minister said the Fleet Support Ship programme would significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region. Modern naval operations require sustained logistics, maintenance and replenishment, particularly when warships operate for prolonged periods far from their home bases.
Designed and built indigenously by HSL, the Fleet Support Ships will provide at-sea replenishment and sustained logistical support to naval forces. The vessels are equipped with enhanced cargo and fluid capacities, onboard first-line maintenance facilities, a helicopter deck capable of supporting Multi-Role Helicopter operations and self-defence systems.
INS Surya was formally launched into the Bay of Bengal following traditional naval honours performed by Smt Laila Swaminathan, President of the Navy Wives Wellness Association. The launch represents another step towards reducing dependence on foreign sources for specialised naval support platforms and expanding India’s domestic shipbuilding base.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the transformation of HSL, recalling the launch of ‘Jala Usha’ in 1948, the first ship built in independent India at Visakhapatnam. He described HSL as a custodian of India’s maritime capability and noted its contribution to the country’s defence and maritime requirements over more than eight decades.
HSL’s attainment of Miniratna Category-I status in 2025, after coming under the Ministry of Defence, was also highlighted as an important milestone in the shipyard’s institutional and industrial development.
The upgraded Slipway-4 has been extended and strengthened to enable HSL to construct and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT, significantly expanding its ability to undertake larger shipbuilding projects.
A new 300-tonne Goliath Crane, spanning Slipways 3 and 4, has also been commissioned. Manufactured under the Make in India framework by L&T Geostructure with Konecranes, the crane incorporates PLC controls, variable frequency drives, tandem lifting, remote diagnostics and condition-monitoring systems.
The infrastructure is expected to improve the handling of heavier ship blocks and support faster and more precise modern block construction, strengthening HSL’s capacity to undertake increasingly complex naval and commercial shipbuilding programmes.
Singh said India’s shipbuilding ambitions must now move beyond self-reliance towards global competitiveness, with Indian shipyards competing internationally on quality, technology, cost, productivity, reliability and delivery schedules.
He called for closer integration between HSL and Andhra Pradesh’s broader industrial ecosystem, with MSMEs, universities, technology companies and startups playing a greater role in shipbuilding, research, skill development and maritime technology.
The Defence Minister emphasised Visakhapatnam’s strategic advantage, given the presence of the Eastern Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, HSL and Visakhapatnam Port, and called for the city to be developed as a major Maritime Industrial Hub integrating naval expertise, shipbuilding, engineering, port infrastructure, research and skilled manpower.
He also stressed the need for a coordinated national maritime ecosystem bringing together the Indian Navy, HSL, DRDO, academia, industry, MSMEs and startups, noting that India’s maritime strength cannot be built by the Navy or shipyards alone.
Outlining the priorities for HSL, Singh called for timely delivery to become an organisational culture, stronger indigenous design capability, greater collaboration with MSMEs and startups, improved productivity and development of comprehensive lifecycle capabilities covering maintenance and support.
He identified indigenous design, resilient supply chains, skilled manpower, capacity expansion, productivity, cost competitiveness and timely delivery as critical factors in transforming India’s shipbuilding potential into global competitiveness.
The Defence Minister said India should ultimately aspire not only to meet domestic naval requirements but also to serve friendly countries and international markets through shipbuilding, maritime technology, ship repair, maintenance and engineering services.
The launch of INS Surya, alongside the keel laying of FSS-5 and commissioning of upgraded shipbuilding infrastructure, therefore represents a combined push towards expanding India’s naval support capacity while positioning its shipyards for larger and more technologically demanding programmes.
The events were attended by Chief of the 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, Coast Guard Commander Eastern Seaboard Additional Director General Donny Michael, HSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral C Raghuram (Retd), and senior officials of the Navy and Ministry of Defence.
