On 26 May, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the flag of the 43,500‑tonne FSS‑1 at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd’s Vizag yard. In just 18 months, the vessel slipped from the first steel cut to the Bay of Bengal, a testament to the yard’s growing capability.
Later that day Singh laid the keel of FSS‑5, the fifth ship in a five‑ship Fleet Support programme, while unveiling Slipway‑4 upgraded to launch vessels up to 45,000 dead‑weight tonnes and a new 300‑tonne Goliath crane.
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and a host of naval officials watched the ceremony, with Singh remarking that the yard’s new infrastructure signals India’s push for ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in maritime strength.
HSL’s 2025‑26 production value hit Rs 1,969 crore, up 34 percent, and its total income rose 29 percent to Rs 2,295 crore, while profit before tax reached Rs 479.47 crore, underscoring the yard’s commercial success.
Chairman‑MD Rear Admiral C Raghuram said the yard now has the capacity to take on larger, more complex programmes, with the next leap scheduled for 6 October. Meanwhile, a senior shipbuilder noted that the new crane will allow faster construction of 45,000‑tonne ships, boosting delivery times for the navy.