The keel laying ceremony of the second of the five fleet support ships (FSS) of the Indian Navy was held on Wednesday at the L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli of Tamil Nadu.
In 2023, the Indian Navy signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for the acquisition of five FSS, to be delivered starting from mid-2027. Following this, HSL contracted the construction of two FSS to L&T to leverage the latter's shipbuilding capacities and meet stringent timelines for delivery.
On induction, the FSS will bolster the blue water capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of the fleet ships at sea. These ships, with a displacement capacity of more than 40,000 tonnes, will carry fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling prolonged operations at sea, thus enhancing the fleet’s reach and mobility.
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In their secondary role, the FSS will be equipped for humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations for evacuation of personnel and expeditious delivery of relief material during natural calamities, the defence ministry stated in a release.
“With a completely indigenous design and sourcing of the majority of the equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this project will boost the Indian shipbuilding industry and is in consonance with the government of India's initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World,” the statement from the ministry read.
The keel laying ceremony was conducted in the presence of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller, Warship Production & Acquisition, and senior officials from the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited and L&T.
