Navy Launches India’s First Indigenous Fleet Support Ship ‘Surya’ at Visakhapatnam

What Was Launched

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched ‘Surya’, India’s first indigenously built fleet support ship, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam on 6 October 2026.

Ship Specifications

Surya is 223.6 metres long and 31.5 metres wide, with a displacement of about 43,500 tonnes and a top speed of 20 knots. It can refuel and resupply several warships at sea at once.

Part of a Larger Programme

Surya is the first of five fleet support ships being built under a ₹19,000 crore contract with 82 per cent indigenous content. HSL is expected to deliver Surya to the Navy next year, with the remaining ships following roughly every ten months.

Why It Matters

These ships carry fuel, water, ammunition and other supplies to warships and submarines far from home ports, letting the Navy stay at sea longer across the Indian Ocean Region without returning to harbour.

Sourced from Free Press Journal and Marine Insight reports, 6–7 October 2026.