In a boost for the Indian Navy’s replenishment of fleet ships at sea, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) launched the first Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1) ‘Surya’ in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 6 October. The 43,500-tonne vessels (VC11200-204) will replenish Navy warships at sea.
Speaking at the launch of FSS-1, Singh said the vessels would strengthen the Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region and added that a Navy operating for extended periods in distant maritime areas required not only warships but also logistics, maintenance, sustained support and operational endurance.
FSS-1 is the first of five indigenously designed Fleet Support Ships being built for the Navy and was launched 18 months after steel cutting.
HSL was contracted by the Navy for five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) in an August 2023 contract valued at INR 19,000 crore (approximately US$2.28 billion).
This is the first time that such vessels are being built in an Indian shipyard. The first ship is scheduled to be delivered within four years of the contract signature (August 2027). The subsequent four ships are planned for delivery in 10 month intervals each.
The Fleet Support Ships will deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores, allowing for prolonged deployments of the Navy warships thereby extending the Fleet’s strategic reach and mobility.
The vessels will feature enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, onboard first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck for Multi-Role Helicopter operations and self-defence systems. They will also be equipped to undertake Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) in their secondary role.
In addition to the launch of FSS-1, HSL laid the keel of Fleet Support Ship-5 (FSS-5), whose steel-cutting took place in May 2026. HSL also inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane. With its extended length and enhanced load-bearing capability, the upgraded Slipway-4 supported by the 300-tonne Goliath Crane, will enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT, significantly expanding its capacity to undertake large and complex platforms.
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