Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Rajnath Singh Launches Fleet Support Ship Surya at HSL
Rajnath Singh visited Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam and launched a Navy support ship called Surya.
It is the first of five ships being built for the Indian Navy.
Surya entered the water 18 months after its steel was first cut.
These ships are meant to bring fuel, water, and other supplies to warships while they are at sea.
This can help warships stay on their missions longer before returning to port.
Singh also marked the start of work on the fifth ship.
He opened an upgraded slipway and a large crane at the shipyard.
The shipyard says these facilities will help it build larger vessels.
Singh said Indian shipyards should improve quality, cost, technology, and delivery to compete globally.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched FSS-1, named Surya, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam on October 6.
Surya, the first of five ships for the Indian Navy, entered the Bay of Bengal 18 months after its steel was cut.
The approximately 43,500-tonne ships are designed to replenish warships at sea, extending their endurance and operational reach.
Singh laid the keel of FSS-5 and inaugurated an upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane.
HSL says the new facilities can support vessels up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes; one report cites a ₹19,000 crore programme cost.
- Who
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Hindustan Shipyard Limited and the Indian Navy.
- What
- FSS-1, named Surya, was launched; the keel of FSS-5 was laid; upgraded shipyard facilities were inaugurated.
- When
- Tuesday, October 6; the reports do not consistently specify the year.
- Where
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam; Surya entered the Bay of Bengal.
- Why
- The ships are intended to replenish warships at sea, while the upgraded facilities are intended to expand HSL's capacity to build larger vessels.
Self-reliance first
Global competitiveness
Shipbuilding ambition
Self-reliance first
The launch and shipyard expansion were presented as evidence of India's growing indigenous shipbuilding capability and self-reliance.
Global competitiveness
Singh said self-reliance is not enough by itself; Indian shipyards should also compete globally on quality, cost, technology, delivery and reliability.
Developing the maritime ecosystem
Self-reliance first
The reports describe HSL and domestic shipbuilding as important foundations for India's maritime capability.
Global competitiveness
Singh called for closer integration among shipyards, the Navy, government, industry, MSMEs, universities and startups, and urged development of Visakhapatnam as a maritime industrial hub.
- Ship launched
- Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1), named Surya
- Programme
- Five fleet support ships are being built for the Indian Navy.
- Time to launch
- Surya entered the water 18 months after its steel was cut.
- Vessel size
- The ships are described as weighing approximately 43,500 tonnes.
- Shipyard milestones
- The keel of FSS-5 was laid; upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane were inaugurated.
- Facility capacity
- HSL says the upgraded facilities can support vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes.
- Reported programme cost
- One article reports a total cost of ₹19,000 crore for the five ships.
Sources
Rajnath Singh Launches First Indigenous FSS Surya In Vizag
Rajnath calls for turning Vizag into maritime industrial hub
Defence Minister launches Fleet Support Ship-1 at HSL in Vizag
Rajnath Singh Launches First India-Made Fleet Support Ship In Vizag
Rajnath Singh Launches India’s First Indigenous Fleet Support Ship Surya In ₹19,000 Crore Naval Push
Defence Minister launches first indigenous FSS 'Surya' at HSL
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches navy’s first fleet support ship
