Big boost to ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence: MoD inks Rs 19,000 crore contract with HSL for five Fleet Support Ships for Indian Navy.
Delhi: On August 25, 2023, the Ministry of Defence finalized a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) located in Visakhapatnam. The contract is for the procurement of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy, with a total cost of around Rs 19,000 crore. This move is a significant step towards bolstering domestic defense manufacturing, as these ships will be designed and built within India by HSL in Visakhapatnam. The acquisition of these ships had been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in a meeting held on August 16, 2023.
The primary purpose of the Fleet Support Ships (FSS) is to provide essential supplies like fuel, water, ammunition, and stores to naval vessels at sea. This capability will enable the Indian Naval Fleet to extend its operational duration without needing to return to port. The addition of these ships will not only enhance the strategic reach and flexibility of the Fleet but will also substantially improve the Indian Navy’s ability to operate in open waters. These versatile ships can also be employed for tasks such as evacuations and providing aid during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
The Fleet Support Ships, weighing 44,000 tons each, mark a pioneering achievement as they will be the first of their kind to be constructed in India by an Indian shipyard. This initiative is expected to create job opportunities, generating nearly 168.8 lakh mandays of employment over an eight-year period. The construction of these ships will introduce a new dimension to the Indian shipbuilding industry and stimulate active engagement from related sectors, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). With a majority of the ship’s equipment and systems being sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will proudly represent the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India), aligning with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.
