Keel Laying of Second Fleet Support Ship (FSS) for Indian Navy

In a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime capabilities, the keel-laying ceremony for the second Fleet Support Ship (FSS) was held on March 12, 2025, at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. The event witnessed the presence of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, along with senior officials from the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), and L&T Shipyard. This project is part of a contract signed between the Indian Navy and HSL in August 2023 for the construction of five Fleet Support Ships, with deliveries set to begin by mid-2027. The initiative highlights the success of the public-private partnership (PPP) model, with two of the five ships being constructed by L&T to optimize the country’s shipbuilding capacity.

Key Highlights

Contract Details

• Signed between Indian Navy and HSL in August 2023.
• Construction of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS).
• Delivery to commence from mid-2027.
• Two FSS contracted to L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.

Role of Fleet Support Ships

• Enhance Blue Water capabilities of the Indian Navy.
• Support replenishment of fleet ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores.
• Enable prolonged naval operations, increasing fleet reach and mobility.
• Secondary role includes Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations for evacuations and delivering relief during natural disasters.

Strategic Advantages

• Displacement of over 40,000 tons.
• Fully indigenous design with equipment sourced from local manufacturers.
• Boost to the Indian shipbuilding industry.
• Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Make for the World initiatives.

Significance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

• HSL collaborating wi
• efficient production.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Keel Laying of Second Fleet Support Ship (FSS) for Indian Navy
Location	L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli
Presence of Officials	Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Indian Navy, HSL, and L&T officials
Contract Signed	August 2023
Total Ships Ordered	Five Fleet Support Ships
Delivery Timeline	Begins mid-2027
Primary Role	Replenishment of fleet ships at sea (fuel, water, ammunition, and stores)
Secondary Role	Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR)
Ship’s Displacement	Over 40,000 tons
Public-Private Partnership	HSL contracted two ships to L&T Shipyard
Indigenous Focus	Indigenous design and local equipment sourcing
Strategic Goals	Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, Make for the World