VISAKHAPATNAM — In a major push toward indigenous defence manufacturing and naval capability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched the Indian Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named ‘Surya’, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL).
During his visit to the premier shipyard, the Raksha Mantri also laid the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) and inaugurated the newly upgraded Slipway-4 alongside a state-of-the-art 300-tonne Goliath Crane.
Calling the three events a collective reflection of national capability, Shri Rajnath Singh remarked, “The launch of FSS-1 is a symbol of achievement, keel laying of FSS-5 is a symbol of resolve, and the new Slipway is a symbol of our growing capability.”
Boosting the Indian Navy’s Operational Reach in the Indian Ocean Region
The launch of the 45,000-tonne class vessel marks a strategic milestone for the Indian Navy’s long-range capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
FSS-1 ‘Surya’ was officially launched into the waters of the Bay of Bengal following traditional maritime ceremonies led by Smt. Laila Swaminathan, President of the Navy Wives Wellness Association (NWWA).
Designed and built indigenously by HSL, the Fleet Support Ships will serve as the operational backbone for naval task forces deployed far from Indian shores. Key features include:
- Sustained At-Sea Logistics: High-capacity liquid fuel, fresh water, provisions, and ammunition replenishment to allow blue-water warships to operate for prolonged periods without docking.
- Modern Maintenance Infrastructure: Onboard first-line maintenance workshops capable of supporting complex systems at sea.
- Aviation & Protection: A dedicated flight deck capable of handling Multi-Role Helicopters (MRH) alongside cutting-edge indigenous self-defence systems.
Recalling the launch of Jala Usha—independent India’s first manufactured ship built at Visakhapatnam in 1948—the Defence Minister hailed HSL as a primary custodian of the country’s maritime heritage, praising its recent attainment of Miniratna Category-I status under the Ministry of Defence.
Next-Gen Shipyard Infrastructure: Upgraded Slipway and 300T Goliath Crane
To accommodate heavier, modular block construction methods, HSL’s shipbuilding capacity received a substantial technological upgrade:
- Upgraded Slipway-4: Extended and reinforced to handle the construction and launching of vessels up to 45,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT).
- 300-Tonne Goliath Crane: Built under the ‘Make in India’ initiative by M/s L&T Geostructure in collaboration with Konecranes. Spanning Slipways 3 and 4, the crane features Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Variable Frequency Drives, tandem lifting systems, and remote diagnostics to ensure precision handling of massive ship blocks.
Transforming Visakhapatnam into a Global Maritime Industrial Hub
Addressing senior officials and industry leaders, the Raksha Mantri stated that self-reliance is merely the baseline, urging the defence industry to aim for international competitiveness.
“Self-reliance is an important milestone, but global competitiveness is the next big leap. Indian shipyards should be able to compete on quality, cost, technology, delivery, and reliability with the world’s leading shipyards.”
Shri Rajnath Singh outlined a clear operating mantra for the maritime defence sector: “Design better. Build faster. Deliver on time. Operate efficiently and maintain effectively.”
He called for deeper integration between HSL and Andhra Pradesh’s broader industrial ecosystem—urging local MSMEs to supply components, state universities to drive naval architecture R&D, and tech startups to introduce automation and digital twin solutions to modern shipbuilding.
With the Eastern Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, HSL, and Visakhapatnam Port co-located, the Defence Minister emphasized that Visakhapatnam holds all the natural and strategic requirements to evolve into an international maritime industrial hub.
Dignitaries Present at the Event
The ceremony witnessed the presence of senior civil and military leadership, including:
- Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff
- Shri Janardhan Reddy, Minister for Roads, Buildings & Infrastructure, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh
- Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli, Member of Parliament, Visakhapatnam
- Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production)
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command
- Additional Director General Donny Michael, Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard)
- Rear Admiral C Raghuram (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Shipyard Limited
