Visakhapatnam: In a major step toward enhancing India’s maritime strength and indigenous defence production capabilities, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) held the ceremonial steel cutting for the fourth Fleet Support Ship (FSS) for the Indian Navy on June 19, 2025. The ceremony was officiated by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
The event marks a significant milestone in the Navy’s Fleet Support Ship programme, a key initiative to bolster operational endurance and logistic reach for naval forces deployed far from the Indian coast.
A Strategic Asset for India’s Blue-Water Navy
Speaking at the event, Admiral Tripathi emphasized that the FSS project aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) and building a future-ready, combat-capable maritime force.
“The FSS will be critical in enabling longer deployments and ensuring sustained naval presence across the Indo-Pacific,” he noted.
Transformation at Hindustan Shipyard
Cmde Hemant Khatri (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director of HSL, highlighted the shipyard’s remarkable transformation over recent years. From battling a legacy of negative net worth to attaining Mini Ratna status, HSL has emerged as a formidable force in strategic maritime manufacturing.
“HSL has evolved from building small tugs to delivering high-end platforms like INS Dhruv and Nistar. This progress reflects our readiness to handle next-generation naval assets,” Khatri said.
Upgraded Infrastructure, Future-Ready Vision
The fourth Fleet Support Ship is being built on HSL’s newly upgraded slipway, now equipped with a 300-tonne Goliath crane, dramatically boosting the shipyard’s capacity to handle large-scale and complex projects. This infrastructure supports not only the FSS program but also future endeavours like Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) and other multi-role vessels.
‘Make in India’ for the World
HSL’s ongoing transformation dovetails with national objectives such as ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make for the World’, placing the shipyard among the strategic contributors to India’s defence industrial base.
About Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)
Established in 1941, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is a premier public sector undertaking located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, HSL specializes in shipbuilding, ship repair, and submarine construction. The shipyard has a rich legacy of delivering advanced maritime platforms, including the indigenously designed Fleet Support Ships and Diving Support Vessels. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and a skilled workforce, HSL is at the forefront of India’s maritime defense sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
