Rajnath launches first desi fleet support ship ‘Surya’ at Visakhapatnam
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the country's first indigenously-built fleet support ship, 'Surya', in Visakhapatnam. This move is part of a broader effort to expand India's naval capabilities and increase self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Why it matters
The expansion of India's naval fleet is a strategic move to enhance its operational reach and influence in the Indian Ocean region.
In a big boost for India’s maritime capabilities, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched ‘Surya’, the country’s first indigenously-built fleet support ship (FSS-1), laid the keel for the fifth ship in the series (FSS-5), and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and 300-tonne Goliath crane at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam.Thereafter, he went to Odisha’s Koraput to witness the delivery of the 2,000th aero-engine by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).Fleet support ships will act as floating logistics hubs that will keep Indian Navy's warships and carrier battle groups operational at sea for extended periods by providing fuel, fresh water, ammunition and dry provisions to frontline ships and even act as on-board maintenance workshops.Describing the “three milestones” as symbols of India’s growing maritime capability, Rajnath said, “The launch of FSS1 is a symbol of achievement, keel laying of FSS-5 is a symbol of resolve and the new Slipway is a symbol of…
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