Keel Laying Ceremony for Indian Navy’s First Fleet Support Ship
Event Held in Visakhapatnam
The keel laying ceremony for the first of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) took place at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition, presided over the event, attended by senior officials from the Indian Navy and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL).
Contract and Delivery
In August 2023, the Indian Navy signed a contract with HSL for the acquisition of these ships, which are expected to be delivered starting mid-2027. These ships will enhance the Navy’s ‘Blue Water’ capabilities by replenishing fleet ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, allowing for extended operations without returning to harbor.
Additional Roles and Indigenous Design
Besides their primary role, the ships will also be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations. The project emphasizes indigenous design and sourcing, aligning with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The Fleet Support Ship will have 80% indigenous content and a displacement of 44,000 tons.
Economic Impact
The project is expected to generate 169 lakh man-days of employment over eight years and support 550 MSMEs, promoting self-reliance in India’s shipbuilding industry.
Doubts Revealed
Keel Laying Ceremony -: A keel laying ceremony is a special event that marks the start of the construction of a ship. It’s like laying the foundation stone for a building.
Fleet Support Ship -: A Fleet Support Ship is a type of ship that helps other ships by providing them with fuel, food, and other supplies while they are at sea. This helps the Navy ships stay out at sea longer without needing to return to port.
Indian Navy -: The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. It protects India’s maritime borders and helps in national security.
Visakhapatnam -: Visakhapatnam is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its shipbuilding and is home to the Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited -: Hindustan Shipyard Limited is a shipbuilding company in India. It builds ships for the Indian Navy and other customers.
Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar -: Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Navy. He was in charge of the keel laying ceremony.
Self-reliance initiatives -: Self-reliance initiatives are efforts by India to produce more goods and services within the country. This reduces dependence on other countries and boosts the local economy.
MSMEs -: MSMEs stand for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. These are small businesses that play a crucial role in the economy by providing jobs and supporting larger industries.
