Indian Navy’s Fleet Support Ship Keel Laying Ceremony Marks Key Step in Strengthening Blue-Water Capability
Visakhapatnam, November 14, 2024 – A significant milestone in India’s maritime capabilities was reached as the keel-laying ceremony for the first of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) took place at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. The event was presided over by Vice Admiral B. Siva Kumar, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, in the presence of the Chairman and Managing Director of HSL and senior officials from both the Indian Navy and HSL.
This keel-laying ceremony, an important ritual in shipbuilding symbolizing the start of a vessel’s physical construction, marks the Indian Navy’s commitment to bolstering its operational reach and support capabilities at sea. The contract for the five Fleet Support Ships was signed between the Indian Navy and Hindustan Shipyard Limited in August 2023. The first of these ships is expected to be delivered in mid-2027, with the remaining deliveries following in quick succession.
Fleet Support Ships: Enhancing Strategic Mobility
Once operational, the Fleet Support Ships will become an integral part of the Indian Navy’s logistics backbone, offering critical replenishment support to fleet vessels during extended missions. Each ship in this class will have a displacement exceeding 40,000 tons and will be designed to carry essential supplies, including fuel, water, ammunition, and various stores. This capability is vital for the Navy’s “blue water” operations, allowing ships to remain at sea for extended periods without needing to return to port for resupply.
By enabling prolonged operations, the new Fleet Support Ships will enhance the Indian Navy’s strategic reach, allowing for sustained deployments across larger operational areas. These ships will be key enablers in ensuring that Indian naval assets can be mobilized rapidly and remain on station for extended periods, reinforcing the Navy’s influence in both regional and global maritime domains.
Multi-Role Capabilities and Humanitarian Operations
In addition to their primary role in logistics support, the Fleet Support Ships will also be equipped for secondary missions, including Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. In recent years, the Indian Navy has played a prominent role in delivering assistance during natural disasters across the Indian Ocean Region, extending support to neighboring countries in times of need.
The new Fleet Support Ships will be equipped to carry personnel and relief supplies, enabling swift and effective responses to emergency situations. These vessels will support evacuation missions, the delivery of relief materials, and aid distribution during humanitarian crises and natural disasters. With this added capability, the Indian Navy will be better positioned to provide prompt aid to affected regions and contribute to regional stability and goodwill.
Boosting Indigenous Shipbuilding and Economic Growth
A major highlight of the Fleet Support Ship project is its emphasis on indigenous production and the use of locally sourced equipment. The design, construction, and outfitting of the ships are being carried out at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, one of India’s premier defence shipyards. The project aligns closely with India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, embodied in the government’s #AatmanirbharBharat (self-reliant India) initiative.
With the majority of the ship’s equipment sourced from Indian manufacturers, the project will give a significant boost to the Indian shipbuilding industry and its allied sectors. The involvement of local suppliers and experts will create jobs, enhance technical skills, and promote long-term growth within the defence and maritime sectors. This effort aligns with the government’s #MakeinIndia initiative, which aims to make India a global hub for high-quality manufacturing, and the #MakefortheWorld campaign, which seeks to position India as an exporter of advanced, indigenously manufactured products.
Strengthening Maritime Security and Regional Stability
The construction of the Fleet Support Ships is part of a broader effort by the Indian Navy to expand its operational capabilities and safeguard India’s maritime interests. In recent years, the Indian Ocean Region has witnessed a rise in strategic competition and an increased need for a capable and flexible naval force. By investing in state-of-the-art fleet support vessels, India is making a strategic commitment to enhancing its presence and readiness across the region.
The Fleet Support Ships will not only enable more sustained operations but also serve as a force multiplier, allowing Indian naval assets to operate effectively across a wide range of missions. This addition to the Navy’s fleet will support India’s aspirations to become a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region, as well as a contributor to regional peace and stability.
Looking Ahead
With the keel-laying ceremony marking the official start of construction, the Fleet Support Ship project is set to bring about significant advancements in India’s naval logistics and humanitarian capabilities. The Indian Navy and Hindustan Shipyard Limited have embarked on an ambitious project that will elevate India’s maritime strength and set new standards for indigenous defence production.
As the Navy looks toward a mid-2027 delivery for the first vessel, this keel-laying ceremony represents not just the start of construction, but a step toward a more capable and self-sufficient maritime force. With each milestone, India’s vision for a powerful, self-reliant navy comes closer to reality, reinforcing its commitment to both national security and regional stability.
