First Fleet Support Ship Launched at Visakhapatnam’s Hindustan Shipyard

A significant milestone has been achieved in India’s defence sector, highlighting the progress made through indigenous technology. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday formally launched Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1) at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, and other dignitaries attended the event.HSL is constructing a total of five Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy, with FSS-1 being the first of the series. It is noteworthy that the ship reached the launch stage from steel-cutting in just 18 months.

With a displacement of around 43,500 tonnes, these ships are designed to support warships during prolonged operations in the Indian Ocean Region by providing fuel, food, and other essential supplies at sea. This capability is expected to significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of the Indian Navy.

During the same event, Rajnath Singh also performed the keel-laying ceremony for the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5). He subsequently inaugurated the modernised Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne-capacity Goliath crane at HSL.With these upgraded facilities, HSL will gain the capability to construct larger ships weighing up to 45,000 DWT (Deadweight Tonnage).