Rajnath Singh Opens Major Maritime Facilities at HSL, Launches Fleet Support Ship 'Surya' and Lays Keel for FSS-5

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated several major shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure projects at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, underlining India's growing focus on strengthening indigenous naval capabilities and maritime self-reliance. During the ceremony, Singh witnessed the launch of the Indian Navy's first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named 'Surya', laid the keel for the fifth vessel in the series, FSS-5, and inaugurated upgraded facilities at the shipyard, including a new slipway and a Gola-Bar crane.

Addressing officials and workers at HSL, Singh said the simultaneous commissioning of the infrastructure and shipbuilding milestones reflected India's expanding maritime capabilities. He noted that while each achievement was important individually, bringing them together at the same shipyard demonstrated the country's growing capacity to build and sustain naval assets domestically.

The Defence Minister described the laying of a ship's keel as a symbol of India's determination to expand its maritime strength, while calling the new slipway evidence of the country's increasing shipbuilding capacity. Singh also highlighted India's longstanding maritime heritage, saying the country's current efforts to emerge as a major maritime power represented a continuation of its historic connection with the seas. He stressed that HSL occupies an important position in this journey, having contributed to India's defence and maritime requirements for more than eight decades.

Praising HSL's contribution, Singh described the shipyard as a key custodian of India's maritime capabilities. He also pointed to its improved financial and operational performance after coming under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. The shipyard's achievement of Miniratna Category-I status in 2025, he said, reflected its significant transformation and the efforts of its workforce.

Singh further emphasised that India's maritime ambitions cannot be achieved by the Navy or shipyards working independently. He called for closer cooperation among the Indian Navy, HSL, DRDO, academic institutions, private industry, MSMEs and defence startups to create a stronger and integrated national maritime ecosystem.

Highlighting the Indian Navy's role in the Indian Ocean Region, the Defence Minister said the force has established itself as a first responder and preferred security partner through operations involving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, anti-piracy missions, evacuations and wider maritime security.

He also underlined the operational significance of the newly launched Fleet Support Ship, saying the vessel would contribute to improving the Navy's operational reach, endurance and effectiveness. The Defence Minister reiterated that strengthening India's indigenous shipbuilding capacity is an important component of the country's broader push for self-reliance in defence. The latest developments at HSL, he said, represent another step towards building a stronger maritime industrial base capable of supporting India's long-term strategic requirements.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.