The Fleet Support Ships (FSS) are being developed for the Indian Navy to improve the strategic reach and mobility of the navy’s fleet.
The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security approved the acquisition of the FSS vessels in August 2023.
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In the same month, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth $2.3bn (Rs190bn) with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a state-owned shipbuilding company based in India, for the procurement of five FSS vessels.
The first vessel of the series, named Surya (FSS-1), was officially launched in October 2026. The FSS vessels are scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy starting in mid-2027.
The ships are the first of their kind being constructed in India with 82% indigenous content. They represent India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliance initiative focused on using equipment from local manufacturers and supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Fleet Support Ships design and features
The FSS vessels will have an overall length of 200m, a breadth of 25m and a draft of 10m.
The vessels will feature a double bottom and double hull in the cargo hold areas to enhance the range and duration of naval combat missions. They can accommodate approximately 190 personnel.
Propulsion and performance
The vessels will be equipped with diesel propulsion utilising a single-shaft configuration and a controllable pitch propeller. They will have a displacement of 44,000t and a speed of 20 knots.
Fleet Support Ships construction
The steel-cutting ceremony for the first FSS was held at HSL’s shipyard in Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh in April 2024, followed by the keel-laying ceremony in November the same year.
The steel-cutting ceremony for the second ship was held at L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, in December 2024, and the keel was laid in March 2025.
The third ship’s steel-cutting ceremony was held in February 2025 at the L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, and the keel was laid in July 2025.
HSL has partnered with L&T Shipyard to build parts of the two FSS vessels. This collaboration makes the best use of local shipyards and will help deliver the vessels on time.
Steel was cut for the fourth ship in June 2025. The steel-cutting ceremony for the fifth and final vessel in the series took place in May 2026, followed by keel laying in October.
Applications of Fleet Support Ships
The FSS will supply ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and supplies, allowing the Indian Naval fleet to stay at sea for longer periods without needing to return to port.
FSS can transfer fuel to naval surface units while they are at sea using abeam and stern transfer methods.
Additionally, the vessels can transfer all types of stores, victuals and personnel to naval vessels while they are at sea. They will also be capable of handling multirole helicopters.
Furthermore, the vessels will be utilised for evacuating individuals and providing human assistance during disaster relief operations and delivering relief supplies quickly during natural disasters.
Contractors involved
Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (India), a design solutions provider for oceangoing, coastal, inland and naval vessels, was chosen by HSL to collaborate on designing the five FSS vessels.
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), a classification society, will offer classification services for the new FSS vessels, which will adhere to IRS Naval Rules.
The IRS will also provide certification for ‘compliance with build specification’, along with verifying compliance against relevant codes and conventions and conducting various technical studies mandated by the build specification.
