Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated upgraded shipbuilding infrastructure and launched key naval projects at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, including the Indian Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship, FSS-1 ‘Surya’. The minister also laid the keel for the fifth Fleet Support Ship and inaugurated an upgraded slipway and a 300-tonne Goliath crane, strengthening HSL’s capacity to build larger and more complex vessels.
The developments are aimed at expanding India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and strengthening its maritime preparedness. Singh said the simultaneous launch, keel laying and infrastructure upgrades marked an important step in expanding the country’s maritime capacity and self-reliance.
