Rajnath Singh Launches Indigenous Fleet Support Ship INS Surya, Inaugurates HSL Upgrades in Visakhapatnam

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 6, 2026 launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named INS Surya, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, while also laying the keel of the fifth ship in the same programme, FSS-5. On the same occasion, he inaugurated upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane, adding fresh capacity to the shipyard’s infrastructure.

The ceremony brought together two strands of the government’s maritime push: building new naval support vessels in India and expanding the industrial base needed to construct larger ships. Singh described the launch of FSS-1 as “a symbol of achievement,” the keel laying of FSS-5 as “a symbol of resolve,” and the new slipway as “a symbol of our growing capability.”

According to the Defence Minister, the developments were not merely individual accomplishments for the shipyard but part of a larger effort to deepen HSL’s shipbuilding strength and contribute to India’s maritime power. He urged the shipyard to establish itself as a benchmark for quality, productivity and timely delivery.

Singh recalled Visakhapatnam’s long connection with India’s maritime history, pointing to the launch of Jala Usha, the first ship built in independent India, at the city in 1948. He said HSL had served as a custodian of India’s national maritime capability and praised its contribution to maritime and defence needs over more than eight decades.

He also referred to HSL’s elevation to Miniratna Category-I status in 2025, after it came under the Ministry of Defence, calling it an important marker of the shipyard’s transformation and sustained efforts.

The Fleet Support Ship programme is intended to extend the Indian Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region. Singh said naval forces deployed for long durations in distant maritime areas require more than warships alone; they also need logistics support, maintenance, replenishment and sustained operational backing.

Fleet Support Ships are meant to provide that support through at-sea replenishment and other assistance to naval operations. In that context, the launch of FSS-1 was presented as an important step in improving the Navy’s operational reach and endurance, while the keel laying of FSS-5 advanced the wider programme.

FSS-1, INS Surya, was launched after traditional honours performed by Smt. Laila Swaminathan, President of the Navy Wives Wellness Association (NWWA). The ship entered the waters of the Bay of Bengal amid cheers from those gathered at the shipyard.

Built indigenously by HSL, the Fleet Support Ships are designed to carry enhanced cargo and fluid capacity, have onboard first-line maintenance workshops, support Multi-Role Helicopter operations through a helicopter deck, and incorporate self-defence systems.

The event also marked the inauguration of upgraded shipbuilding infrastructure at HSL. Slipway-4 has been extended and strengthened so that the shipyard can build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT.

The 300-tonne Goliath Crane spanning Slipways 3 and 4 has been designed and manufactured by M/s L&T Geostructure with Konecranes under the Make in India initiative. The crane is equipped with PLC controls, Variable Frequency Drives, tandem lifting, remote diagnostics and condition monitoring, and is meant to allow faster and more precise handling of heavier blocks for modern block construction.

The upgraded infrastructure is expected to improve HSL’s ability to take up larger and more complex shipbuilding programmes and support modern block construction methods.

Singh said self-reliance must be accompanied by global competitiveness. Indian shipyards, he noted, should be able to compete with leading shipyards around the world on quality, cost, technology, delivery and reliability.

He also called for deeper integration between HSL and Andhra Pradesh’s wider industrial ecosystem. In his view, the state’s MSMEs could serve as suppliers, universities could contribute to research and skill development, technology companies could support digital shipbuilding, and startups could help develop maritime technologies.

He advocated building a complete shipbuilding ecosystem around HSL, supported by logistics, port infrastructure, research, technology and skilled manpower.

Highlighting Visakhapatnam’s strategic value, Singh pointed to the presence of the Eastern Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, HSL and Visakhapatnam Port as the base of an integrated maritime ecosystem. He said the city should be developed as a major Maritime Industrial Hub by bringing together naval expertise, shipbuilding capabilities, engineering talent, port infrastructure and skilled manpower.

He also argued for a national maritime ecosystem that connects the Indian Navy, HSL, DRDO, academia, industry, MSMEs and startups. India’s maritime strength, he said, cannot be built by the Navy or shipyards alone and requires closer coordination among all stakeholders.

“Our goal should be simple and clear — Design better. Build faster. Deliver on time. Operate efficiently and do Maintenance effectively,” Singh said.

He identified timely delivery, productivity, indigenous design capability, supply chain resilience, skilled manpower, capacity and cost competitiveness as the factors that would determine whether India can turn its shipbuilding potential into genuine global competitiveness.

Outlining priorities for HSL, the Defence Minister called for timely delivery to become an organisational culture, greater learning from leading global shipyards, stronger indigenous design capabilities, partnerships with MSMEs and startups, and the development of lifecycle capabilities. He also stressed the need for closer coordination between the Navy and shipyards.

Singh said India’s objective should go beyond self-reliance to global competitiveness. He said Indian shipyards should aim to serve friendly nations and overseas markets, and build a global presence in maritime technology, ship repair and maintenance services, and engineering expertise.

The event was attended by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff; Janardhan Reddy, Minister of Roads, Buildings, Infrastructure & Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Sribharat Mathukumilli, Member of Parliament, Visakhapatnam; 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, HSL; and senior officers of the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence.

The launch of INS Surya, the keel laying of FSS-5 and the commissioning of upgraded shipbuilding infrastructure together marked a major day for HSL, combining progress in indigenous ship construction with expansion of the shipyard’s ability to handle larger and more complex vessels.