Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, on 6 October 2026, where he will launch Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1), lay the keel of FSS-5, and inaugurate the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane.
The developments mark a significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and expand capacity to construct large and complex naval platforms.
The upgraded Slipway-4, along with the new Goliath Crane, will enable HSL to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT, significantly enhancing the shipyard’s capacity.
FSS-1, the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built for the Indian Navy, is expected to enter the Bay of Bengal just 18 months after steel cutting. The 43,500-tonne vessels will provide at-sea replenishment to Indian Navy warships, extending their operational endurance and reach across the Indian Ocean Region.
The keel laying of FSS-5 will mark further progress towards the series production of these vessels.
The event will be attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and other senior officials.
The launch and infrastructure upgrades highlight India’s continuing push towards self-reliance in defence production and indigenous naval shipbuilding.
