Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Rajnath Singh to Launch First Navy Fleet Support Ship
Rajnath Singh arrived in Visakhapatnam before a new Navy ship is launched.
The ship is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built in India.
These large ships will carry fuel, water, ammunition and other supplies to Navy ships at sea.
This can help those ships stay out at sea for longer without returning to port.
The ships may also help during disasters and evacuations.
Singh is also expected to open upgraded shipyard facilities and attend a keel-laying ceremony for another ship.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Visakhapatnam ahead of the ship’s launch at Hindustan Shipyard Limited on Tuesday.
During the visit, Singh is scheduled to inaugurate an upgraded slipway and a 300-tonne Goliath crane, launch the first Fleet Support Ship, and oversee another ship’s keel-laying.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited is building five indigenous Fleet Support Ships under a contract with the Indian Navy.
The vessels, each weighing more than 40,000 tonnes, will supply ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and other stores.
They are also intended for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and non-combatant evacuation operations.
- Who
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
- What
- Singh is due to launch the first Indian Navy Fleet Support Ship and attend shipyard ceremonies.
- When
- Singh arrived on Monday evening; the launch and other ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday. The article does not give calendar dates.
- Where
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam, India.
- Why
- The vessels are intended to resupply Navy ships at sea, support humanitarian and evacuation operations, and strengthen naval capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding.
Programme aims
Operational purpose
Indigenous shipbuilding and naval capability
Programme aims
The programme promotes indigenous design and majority-indigenous equipment sourcing, in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Operational purpose
The ships are designed to extend naval deployments by delivering supplies at sea, while also supporting humanitarian, disaster-relief and evacuation missions.
- Shipbuilding contract
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited is building five indigenous Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy.
- Vessel size
- Each vessel weighs more than 40,000 tonnes.
- Supplies carried
- Fuel, water, ammunition and other stores.
- Shipyard upgrades
- An upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane are due to be inaugurated.
- First ship timeline
- The first ship was keel-laid at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in November 2024.
- Fifth ship milestone
- Steel cutting for the fifth and final ship was completed in May 2026.
- Additional roles
- Humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and non-combatant evacuation operations.