Rajnath Singh Launches Indigenous Naval Support Ship Surya

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Indian Navy's first indigenously built fleet support ship, named Surya, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam on October 6, 2026. The Surya is the first of five 43,500-tonne vessels designed to provide fuel, water, and provisions to warships at sea, enabling 60-day missions to extend the navy's operational reach in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

During the ceremony, Singh laid the keel for the fifth vessel in the series, FSS-5. The fleet support ships are being constructed with 82% indigenous content to increase India's self-reliance in naval logistics. Singh also inaugurated upgraded infrastructure at the shipyard, including a modernized 235-meter slipway and a 300-tonne Goliath crane, which allow the facility to construct vessels weighing up to 45,000 DWT.

Following the naval events, Singh is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for new Shakti helicopter engine facilities at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Koraput, Odisha. This joint project with Safran Helicopter Engines aims to produce turboshaft engines for indigenous helicopters.