Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first indigenous Fleet Support Ship, FSS-1 ‘Surya’, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on October 6.
The launch marks a significant step in India's indigenous naval shipbuilding programme. FSS-1 is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built for the Indian Navy. The vessels are designed to provide at-sea replenishment and sustained logistical support, helping naval ships remain deployed for longer periods in distant maritime areas.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
FSS-1 ‘Surya’ was launched on October 6, 2026.
The launch took place at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam.
FSS-1 is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built for the Indian Navy.
The Fleet Support Ships are 43,500-tonne vessels.
They are designed for at-sea replenishment and sustained naval support.
The ships will have enhanced cargo and fluid capacity.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the five Fleet Support Ships are 43,500-tonne vessels. They are designed with enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, onboard first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck for multi-role helicopter operations and self-defence systems.
During the same programme, the Defence Minister laid the keel of FSS-5, the fifth ship in the series. This marked another step towards completing the five-ship Fleet Support Ship programme.
The Defence Minister also inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane at HSL. The upgraded slipway has been strengthened and extended to enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The Fleet Support Ship programme is important to the Indian Navy because sustained operations at sea require regular logistical and replenishment support. These vessels are intended to help naval ships remain operational for longer periods without returning to port. The simultaneous upgrade of HSL's shipbuilding infrastructure also increases its ability to undertake larger and more complex vessel construction programmes.
The new crane, spanning Slipways 3 and 4, is intended to improve the handling of heavier ship blocks and support the construction of larger and more complex vessels at the shipyard.
