Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches India’s first indigenous Fleet Support Ship ‘Surya’ in Visakhapatnam and calls for developing the city as a maritime industrial hub.
Visakhapatnam: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched ‘Surya’, the first indigenously designed and built Fleet Support Ship (FSS), at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant step towards strengthening the Indian Navy’s operational reach and endurance.
The Defence Minister also laid the keel for the fifth Fleet Support Ship, FSS-5, and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane at HSL. The new infrastructure is expected to enhance the shipyard’s capacity to construct larger and more complex vessels.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Singh said the launch of the first Fleet Support Ship represented an achievement, while the keel laying of the fifth vessel reflected the country’s resolve to expand its maritime capabilities. The upgraded slipway, he said, demonstrated the growing capacity of HSL.
The ‘Surya’, designed and built by HSL, is intended to provide at-sea replenishment and logistical support to naval operations. The Fleet Support Ships will have enhanced cargo and fluid-carrying capacity, onboard maintenance facilities, a helicopter deck and self-defence systems.
Mr. Singh said sustained naval operations in distant maritime areas required strong logistics, maintenance and support capabilities. The new vessels would strengthen the Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region, he said.
The upgraded Slipway-4 has been strengthened to enable HSL to build and launch ships of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes. The 300-tonne Goliath Crane, installed across Slipways 3 and 4, is expected to improve the handling of heavy shipbuilding blocks and increase efficiency.
Mr. Singh called for the development of Visakhapatnam as a major maritime industrial hub, citing the presence of the Eastern Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, HSL and Visakhapatnam Port.
He said the city had the necessary foundation to create an integrated maritime ecosystem involving shipbuilding, ports, engineering, research, technology and skilled manpower.
The Defence Minister stressed that HSL should move beyond self-reliance and aim for global competitiveness. Quality, cost, technology, timely delivery and reliability would be critical for Indian shipyards seeking a larger role in international markets, he said.
He also called for closer cooperation between HSL and Andhra Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem, including MSMEs, universities, technology companies and startups. Such partnerships, he said, could create a complete shipbuilding ecosystem around Visakhapatnam.
Mr. Singh also urged Indian shipyards to develop capabilities in ship repair, maintenance, maritime technology and engineering services, with the aim of serving friendly countries and international markets.
