Key Highlights
- The keel of the second Fleet Support Ship (FSS) was laid on 12 March 2025 at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
- The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan and senior representatives of the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited and L&T.
- The navy’s contract, signed with HSL in August 2023, calls for five indigenous FSSs, with the first deliveries expected by mid‑2027.
- L&T will build two of the vessels, showcasing a public‑private partnership that expands national shipbuilding capacity.
- The ships, each displacing more than 40,000 tons, will bolster blue‑water endurance and support humanitarian‑aid missions.
Detailed Insights
The Indian Navy’s strategic procurement plan, formalised in August 2023, earmarks five Fleet Support Ships to augment its at‑sea replenishment capability. These vessels will carry fuel, fresh water, ammunition and a wide range of stores, enabling combat ships to remain operational far from home ports for extended periods. The second ship’s keel‑laying marks the commencement of construction under a joint venture between the public sector shipyard (HSL) and the private contractor L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. By allocating two hulls to L&T, the navy leverages private‑sector efficiency while retaining overall project control within the public domain.
Beyond logistical support, the FSS class is engineered for rapid deployment in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) scenarios, providing evacuation capacity and the ability to deliver relief supplies during natural calamities. The design is fully indigenous, with propulsion, navigation and auxiliary systems sourced from Indian manufacturers, reinforcing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat agenda and the broader Make‑in‑India and Make‑for‑the‑World strategies.
When operational, the ships will markedly expand the Indian Navy’s blue‑water reach, granting greater strategic mobility across the Indian Ocean Region. The public‑private partnership model is expected to set a benchmark for future defence procurement, marrying the agility of private industry with the strategic oversight of the government.
Key Concepts
- Fleet Support Ship (FSS): A logistical vessel that supplies fuel, water, ammunition and stores to combat ships while underway, extending their endurance.
- Keel Laying: A ceremonial milestone in shipbuilding that signifies the start of a vessel’s physical construction.
- Public‑Private Partnership (PPP): A collaborative arrangement where government bodies and private firms share resources, risks and rewards to deliver a project.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Operations conducted by military assets to provide emergency aid, evacuation and disaster‑response support.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: India’s self‑reliance initiative encouraging domestic design, production and sourcing of defence equipment.