The start of construction of the Indian Navy’s third of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was marked with the first steel cut at L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.
The FSS will support the Indian Navy’s blue water operations by providing refuelling services to fleet ships while at sea.
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In August 2023, the Indian Navy contracted Hindustan Ship Yard Limited (HSL) for the acquisition of five FSS. Deliveries of the FSS are scheduled to begin by mid-2027.
As part of the project, HSL has subcontracted the construction of two ships to L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
This collaboration aims to optimise India’s shipbuilding capacity and ensure timely delivery under a public-private partnership model.
The ships are part of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to prioritise the use of locally produced equipment and promote the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
These vessels will be both designed and built domestically, incorporating 80% materials sourced from within the country.
In a press statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence said: “With a completely indigenous design and sourcing of the majority of equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this project will boost the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is in consonance with GoI initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World.”
The Indian Ministry of Defence sanctioned the acquisition of these vessels at a total cost of around $2.24bn (Rs194bn).
With a displacement exceeding 40,000 tonnes, these vessels are designed to carry essential supplies such as fuel, water, ammunition, and stores.
The FSS vessels have an overall length of 200 metres (m), a breadth of 25m, a draft of 10m and can cruise at a speed of 20 knots.
Additionally, the FSS will serve a secondary role in humanitarian aid and disaster relief by facilitating the evacuation of personnel and rapid delivery of relief materials during natural disasters.
In December 2024, Kongsberg Maritime was selected by HSL to supply electric replenishment-at-sea equipment for the FSS programme, further enhancing the ships’ operational capabilities.
