Keel Laying Ceremony for Third Indian Navy Fleet Support Ship

Chennai, July 11 (PTI): The keel laying ceremony for the third Fleet Support Ship (FSS) intended for the Indian Navy took place at the L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli on Wednesday. This important event was attended by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, the Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, along with senior officials from the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL), and L&T, according to a press release from PIB (Defence) on Friday. The Indian Navy formalized a contract with HSL for the procurement of five Fleet Support Ships in August 2023, with the delivery timeline set to begin in mid-2027. To maximize shipbuilding capacity and adhere to the strict delivery schedule, HSL has subcontracted the construction of two ships to L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli. Once inducted, the Fleet Support Ships will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's 'Blue Water' capabilities by allowing fleet replenishment at sea. These vessels, with a displacement exceeding 40,000 tons, are designed to transport fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, thereby supporting extended and sustained fleet operations at sea. This will, in turn, augment the reach and mobility of the naval forces. In their secondary capacity, these ships will also be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, providing capabilities for personnel evacuation and swift delivery of relief materials during natural disasters. The warship design is indigenous, with key equipment sourced from Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

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