Rajnath Singh Unveils India's First Fleet Support Ship 'Surya'
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches 'Surya' in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant advancement in India's naval capabilities.
India's first indigenously-built fleet support ship, 'Surya', launched.
Defence Minister announces establishment of second production line for Shakti engines.
HAL delivers its 2,000th aero-engine, showcasing India's aerospace progress.
In a landmark event for India's maritime sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 'Surya', the nation's first indigenous fleet support ship, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. The occasion also marked the laying of the keel for the fifth ship in the series and the inauguration of upgraded facilities, including Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane.
The introduction of fleet support ships like 'Surya' is set to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy by providing essential logistics support at sea. These vessels will serve as floating hubs, supplying fuel, fresh water, ammunition, and maintenance services to naval ships, thereby extending their operational timeframes in the Indian Ocean region. Rajnath Singh emphasized that these advancements signify India's commitment to bolstering its maritime strength.
Rajnath highlighted that the launch of 'Surya' and the keel laying of FSS-5 represent significant milestones in India's naval development. He noted that the upgraded Slipway-4 will enable HSL to construct larger ships, capable of handling up to 45,000 DWT. With over 75% of the components for these new vessels being produced domestically, the move aligns with the government's push for self-reliance in shipbuilding.
The Defence Minister also announced that a record 18 warships are expected to be commissioned in 2026, marking a historic expansion of the Indian Navy. He called for Visakhapatnam to evolve into a maritime industrial hub, leveraging its existing naval infrastructure to create a comprehensive maritime ecosystem. Rajnath's remarks underscored the importance of global competitiveness alongside self-reliance in shipbuilding.
In a related development, Rajnath Singh visited Koraput to witness the delivery of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) 2,000th aero-engine. He announced the establishment of a second production line for Shakti engines, reinforcing India's commitment to enhancing indigenous aerospace capabilities. The minister praised HAL Koraput for its significant contributions to military aviation, noting the importance of maintaining and overhauling engines to ensure operational readiness for the Indian Air Force's fleet.
