Visakhapatnam: The first of the Indian Navy’s Fleet Support Ships (FSS-1), being built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, was launched on October 6 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The ceremony also marked the keel laying of the fifth Fleet Support Ship, FSS-5, and the inauguration of an augmented slipway at HSL.
The launch was carried out by Smt Laila Swaminathan, President of the Navy Welfare & Wellness Association (NWWA), in keeping with naval traditions. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and senior officials from the Navy, Ministry of Defence and HSL attended the event.
Fleet Support Ships to Strengthen At-Sea Replenishment
The Fleet Support Ships have been indigenously designed and built by HSL, with more than 82% indigenous content, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Read Also: Rajnath Singh Launches India’s First Indigenous Fleet Support Ship ‘Surya’ at HSL
Once inducted, the vessels will support the Indian Navy’s fleet by enabling replenishment of ships at sea. The capability is intended to strengthen the operational logistics of deployed naval formations and support their strategic reach and mobility.
HSL Upgrades Infrastructure With Augmented Slipway
The event also saw the inauguration of an augmented slipway at HSL, described as a key infrastructure upgrade at the Visakhapatnam shipyard.
The infrastructure development was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alongside the FSS-1 launch and FSS-5 keel-laying ceremony.
The Fleet Support Ship project involves cooperation between the Indian Navy, HSL, defence industries and MSMEs, with the high indigenous-content figure cited by the Ministry as an indicator of domestic participation in the programme.
Ships Designed for HADR and Evacuation Operations
Beyond naval logistics, the Fleet Support Ships will be capable of supporting Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations.
These capabilities are intended to allow the vessels to transport relief material and assist in the evacuation of personnel during emergencies.
Project Highlights Indigenous Shipbuilding
The Ministry of Defence said the project has contributed to the growth of the Indian shipbuilding industry and described it as supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The launch of FSS-1, keel laying of FSS-5 and commissioning of upgraded shipyard infrastructure together mark developments in HSL’s ongoing Fleet Support Ship programme.
Read Also: Indian Navy Gets Strategic Boost As Rajnath Singh Launches First Fleet Support Ship FSS-1
