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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 6 unveiled ‘Surya’, India’s first indigenously developed and built Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. The development marks a massive leap in bolstering the Indian Navy’s logistical potential, operational endurance and naval self-reliance.
‘Surya’ Ship to Act as Naval Logistics Hub
Fleet Support Ships are produced to offer critical supplies to maritime vessels while they stay at sea. The 43,500-tonne ‘Surya’ will provide warships and carrier battle groups by offering fuel, fresh water, ammunition, dry provisions and maintenance facilities, thus lowering the need for vessels to return to port.
The vessels will also possess improved cargo and fluid capacity, onboard first-line maintenance workshops, a helicopter deck capable of promoting multi-role helicopter missions and self-defence systems. According to the Defence Ministry, such ships are integral for sustaining naval operations over long periods in distant maritime areas.
The ‘Surya’ is the maiden of five Fleet Support Ships being developed for the Navy. Singh also laid the keel for FSS-5, marking another milestone in the programme. The five-ship project is estimated at around Rs 19,000 crore.
HSL Infrastructure Gets Major Upgrade
During the visit, Singh unveiled an advanced Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane at HSL. The upgraded slipway can handle ships of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes, while the crane is developed to enhance the handling of heavy shipbuilding blocks and promote modern construction methods.
Singh stated that the three developments reflected achievement, resolve and evolving shipbuilding potential. He also called for Visakhapatnam to become a massive maritime industrial hub.
HAL Koraput Delivers 2,000th Aero-Engine
After the Visakhapatnam programme, Singh travelled to Koraput in Odisha, where he saw the delivery of HAL’s 2,000th aero-engine. HAL’s Koraput division has essayed a crucial role in manufacturing and overhauling engines used by India’s military aircraft.
The milestone comes alongside initiatives to forge a second production line for Shakti helicopter engines, with an investment of Rs 218 crore. The additional facility is intended to promote indigenous helicopters including the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand.
Therefore, the two developments underscore India’s extending focus on indigenous shipbuilding, aerospace and defence production as part of its wider ambition for self-reliance in military technology and defence development.