Steel Cutting Ceremony of the 5th and final Fleet Support Ship (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam on 08 May 2026
The ceremony was attended by VAdm Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition as Chief Guest, along with CMD of HSL and other senior officials from Indian Navy and HSL
Indian Navy signed a contract with HSL for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships in August 2023
Delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from mid-2027
Each ship has a displacement of more than 40,000 Tons
Primary function: Replenishment of Fleet ships at sea by delivering fuel, water, ammunition and stores
Secondary role: Equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
The FSS project features completely indigenous design and majority equipment sourcing from indigenous manufacturers
The project supports Government of India initiatives: Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Make for the World
Expected outcomes: Enhanced Blue Water capabilities, prolonged deployments of Fleet ships, increased strategic reach and mobility of the Fleet
