Indian Navy to get 43,500-tonne ‘Surya’ ship as Rajnath Singh lays keel at HSL in Visakhapatnam

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated upgraded shipbuilding infrastructure and launched key naval projects at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, including the Indian Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship, FSS-1 ‘Surya’. The minister also laid the keel for the fifth Fleet Support Ship and inaugurated an upgraded slipway and a 300-tonne Goliath crane, strengthening HSL’s capacity to build larger and more complex vessels.

The developments are aimed at expanding India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and strengthening its maritime preparedness. Singh said the simultaneous launch, keel laying and infrastructure upgrades marked an important step in expanding the country’s maritime capacity and self-reliance.

FSS-1 ‘Surya’ launched for Indian Navy

FSS-1, named ‘Surya’, is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being constructed for the Indian Navy. The 43,500-tonne vessels are designed to replenish warships at sea, allowing naval vessels to remain deployed for longer periods and extending their operational reach across the Indian Ocean Region.

According to the Defence Ministry, FSS-1 will enter the waters of the Bay of Bengal 18 months after steel cutting, highlighting the pace of construction under the programme.

The keel laying of FSS-5 during the same event marked the programme’s progression towards series production.

Upgraded HSL infrastructure to handle larger vessels

Singh also inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane at HSL.

The extended slipway has enhanced load-bearing capacity and, together with the new crane, will enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to expand HSL’s ability to undertake the construction of larger and more complex platforms.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said the simultaneous commissioning of the new infrastructure and progress on the Fleet Support Ship programme demonstrated the growing scale of India’s maritime capabilities.

“Keel Laying is a symbol of our resolve, and the new Slipway is a symbol of our growing capacity,” Singh said, adding that the developments would strengthen the foundation of India’s maritime power.

Rajnath Singh highlights maritime self-reliance

The Defence Minister linked the modernisation of shipbuilding infrastructure with India’s broader maritime security objectives and efforts to increase indigenous defence production.

Singh also invoked India’s historical maritime legacy, saying the country’s current push to become a major maritime power represents a revival and strengthening of its longstanding oceanic capabilities.

He described Hindustan Shipyard Limited as an important part of that maritime journey and said the current investments would help build the foundation for India’s future maritime strength.

The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, among other officials.