Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 'Surya', the first Fleet Support Ship, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. This event signals India's growing indigenous shipbuilding might.
According to The Hans India, Rajnath Singh also laid the keel of FSS-5 and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane at the shipyard. These developments indicate an enhancement of HSL's infrastructure.
The Defence Minister highlighted India’s longstanding maritime heritage, recalling the launch of ‘Jala Usha’ – the first ship built in independent India – in Visakhapatnam back in 1948.
As reported by The Hans India, Rajnath Singh described HSL as a custodian of India’s national maritime capability. He lauded its contribution to the country’s maritime and defence requirements for more than eight decades.
The Defence Minister stressed that along with building ships, HSL is focusing on strengthening the foundation of India's maritime power for the future. He emphasized that the goal should be to design better, build faster, deliver on time, operate efficiently, and do maintenance effectively.
This development is significant for the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions as Visakhapatnam plays a crucial role in the nation's defence and maritime industry, contributing to the local economy and employment opportunities.
