FSS-1, the first of the Fleet Support Ships, under construction at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, was launched on 06 Oct 2026. In keeping with the Naval traditions, Smt Laila Swaminathan, President NWWA (Navy Welfare & Wellness Association), launched the ship in the presence of the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.

The event also marked the keel laying of FSS-5, the fifth of the Fleet Support Ships, and inauguration of Augmented Slipway, a key infrastructure upgrade at HSL, by the Chief Guest.  Adm Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials from Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence HSL, Visakhapatnam were amongst the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

The Fleet Support Ships are indigenously designed and built by HSL, Visakhapatnam with over 82 percent indigenous content signifying highest levels of mutual cooperation between the Navy, Shipyard, Defence industries and MSMEs. On induction, the ships will augment the ‘Blue Water’ capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of Fleet Ships at Sea.

The ships will significantly bolster Operational logistics, thereby enhancing the Fleet’s strategic reach and mobility. In their secondary role, these ships would be capable of undertaking Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) for expeditious delivery of relief material and evacuation of personnel.

This prestigious project has significantly boosted the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is a proud flag bearer of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative of Government of India.

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