Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Indian Navy’s first indigenously built Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1) ‘INS Surya’ at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, on October 6, 2026. He also laid the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and 300-tonne Goliath Crane.

Fleet Support Ships to Strengthen Navy’s Reach

HSL is building five Fleet Support Ships under a single contract for the Indian Navy. Each ship has around 43,500-tonne displacement and 82% indigenous content. These vessels are designed to refuel and resupply naval ships at sea, helping them remain deployed for longer periods without frequently returning to port.

‘INS Surya’ is around 223.6 metres long and 31.5 metres wide, can reach about 20 knots and is designed for missions of nearly 60 days. It can carry fuel, fresh water, ammunition and other essential supplies, along with maintenance facilities, a helicopter deck and self-defence systems.

Upgraded Shipbuilding Facilities at HSL

The upgraded 235-metre Slipway-4 and the new 300-tonne Goliath Crane will allow HSL to build and launch ships of up to 45,000 DWT. The new infrastructure is expected to support larger and more complex shipbuilding projects.

The Fleet Support Ship programme will strengthen the Navy’s operational endurance, maritime reach and blue-water capability, particularly during extended operations in the Indian Ocean Region.