First Indigenous Fleet Support Ship Surya Launched at HSL

India's naval logistics took a major leap forward on October 6 with the launch of Surya, the first of five indigenous Fleet Support Ships built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam. The ceremony also marked the keel laying for the fifth vessel in the series. Together, the twin milestones signal a fast-tracked production schedule aimed at expanding operational reach across the Indian Ocean Region.

The 45,000-tonne class support ships will operate as floating logistics bases, carrying fuel, dry provisions, and onboard engineering workshops to replenish frontline warships at sea. Outfitted with multi-role helicopter decks and integrated self-defence systems, the ships will allow Indian battle groups to sustain distant blue-water missions without returning to base.

To support the build program, the shipyard also commissioned an upgraded slipway rated for 45,000 deadweight tonnage alongside an indigenous 300-tonne Goliath crane built jointly by L&T and Konecranes. Equipped with automated controls and tandem lifting capability, the new hardware enables modern mega-block construction to sharply reduce build times.

The government is pushing to develop Visakhapatnam into a full-scale maritime industrial cluster by integrating naval dockyards, technical universities, and private suppliers. For domestic manufacturers and engineering MSMEs, the five-ship contract creates predictable, multi-year demand for marine machinery, advanced sensors, and lifecycle maintenance services.