Steel Cutting Ceremony for Second Boat of Indian Navy’s FSS Project Held at Larsen & Toubro Shipyard, Kattupalli
At the Larsen and Toubro Shipyard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, the second boat of the Indian Navy’s Fleet Support Ships (FSS) project had its steel cutting ceremony.
The project calls for the construction of five ships in total to assist Indian Navy operations.
Senior representatives from the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), and M/s L&T attended the occasion, which was presided over by Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy contracted with HSL in August 2023 to build five Fleet Support Ships (FSS), with delivery expected to start in mid-2027.
In order to take advantage of the nation’s shipbuilding capabilities and guarantee rigorous delivery deadlines, HSL has contracted with M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, to construct a portion of two Fleet Support Ships.
The 40,000-ton displacement Fleet Support Ships will greatly improve the Indian Navy’s ‘Blue Water’ capabilities.
The ships will increase the fleet’s operational reach and mobility by allowing extended operations without the need to return to port thanks to their ability to transport vital supplies including gasoline, water, ammunition, and stores.
Along with their main function, the ships will be essential to Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities, such as the quick delivery of relief supplies during natural disasters and the evacuation of persons.
These ships are entirely domestically designed, with the majority of the equipment coming from Indian producers, underscoring the project’s national emphasis.
This supports the Indian shipbuilding industry and enhances the country’s defense capabilities, which is in line with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Made in India, and Made for the World visions.
