The 'Steel Cutting' ceremony of the first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam on 10 Apr 24 in the presence of Defense Secretary Shri Giridhar Armane. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Hemant Khatri (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, HSL and other senior officers of the Indian Navy and HSL were present on the occasion.
The contract with HSL for the acquisition of five fleet support ships was signed in August 2023 and the ships are to be delivered to the Indian Navy in mid-2027. Upon induction into the fleet, the Fleet Support Ships will enhance the 'Blue Water' capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of fleet ships at sea. Ships with a displacement of more than 40,000 tons would carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores. This will enable operations for longer periods without returning to port, thus increasing the strategic reach and mobility of the fleet. In the second role these ships will be equipped for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations including evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material to the site during natural disasters.
This shipbuilding project with completely indigenous design and sourcing of most of the equipment by indigenous manufacturers will encourage the Indian shipbuilding industry and is in line with the Government of India initiatives of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World.
