Padmesh Prabhune –
‘Steel Cutting’ ceremony of the first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam on 10 April 24, in the presence of Shri Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary, VAdm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Cmde Hemant Khatri (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, HSL. Many other senior officials were also present at the occasion.
Terming Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) as an asset of the Government of India, Shri Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary, said, “The current ship building trend is showing an upcoming boom in orders from both defense and commercial sector and HSL should be geared to take up to take on any challenge.”
On induction, the first–of-kind Fleet Support Ships with displacement of 44,000 will bolster the ‘Blue Water’ capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of fleet ships at sea. The five ships, with over 40,000 tonnes displacement will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling prolonged operations without returning to harbour, thus enhancing the Fleet’s strategic reach and mobility.
In a secondary role, these ships would be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities.
Contract with HSL for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships was signed in Aug 2023 and the ships are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy, commencing mid-2027.
Cmde Hemant Khatri (Retd), CMD HSL said, “The Construction of FSS provides business to nearly 550 MSME’s in and around Vishakhapatnam and employment opportunity to over 3000 personnel.”
With a completely indigenous design and sourcing of majority of the equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this shipbuilding project will boost the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is in consonance with GoI initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, Make for the World. Marex Media