Rajnath Singh launches first indigenous fleet support ship ‘Surya’

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched the Indian Navy’s first indigenously built Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named ‘Surya’, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. He also laid the keel for the fifth vessel of the series, FSS-5, according to agency reports.
Fleet Support Ships are designed to refuel and resupply naval vessels at sea, allowing warships to remain deployed for longer periods without returning to port. The Indian Navy currently operates four fleet tankers — INS Shakti and INS Jyoti on the eastern coast, and INS Deepak and INS Aditya on the western coast.While speaking at the launch, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian Ocean is closely linked to India’s “economic, energy & national security”, while noting that the Indian Navy has proved its capabilities in the region.

मजबूत Maritime Capability भारत की आवश्यकता है। हमारा लक्ष्य आत्मनिर्भरता से आगे बढ़कर Global Maritime Power बनना है। https://t.co/cLXxjLcKpk

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 6, 2026

The five Fleet Support Ships are being built under a single contract with 82% indigenous content. The vessels will support naval operations across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, with capacity to carry fuel, aviation fuel, water, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies.‘Surya’ is 223.6 metres long and can carry around 43,500 tonnes, with a top speed of 20 knots. It is designed for missions lasting up to 60 days and is equipped with onboard workshops for maintenance and emergency repairs. The ship also has a helicopter deck and self-defence systems.
Singh also inaugurated HSL’s modernised Slipway No. 4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane. The 235-metre-long and 37.5-metre-wide slipway will enable the shipyard to build naval platforms of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes.The upgrades are aimed at strengthening HSL’s capacity to construct and repair larger naval vessels and submarines.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates major indigenous shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure projects at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. https://t.co/prJp1nsRYL

— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2026

Established in 1941 as Scindia Shipyard and incorporated as Hindustan Shipyard Limited in 1952, HSL has built 203 ships and carried out more than 2,000 ship repairs over eight decades.The ceremony was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, HSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral C. Raghuram, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat and Andhra Pradesh Roads and Buildings Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy, among others.