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Aug 22, 2023

India's HSL Inks Contract for Five Fleet Support Ships

Naval News Staff 25 Aug 2023 Indian MoD press release The Ministry of Defence, on August 25, 2023, signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam for acquisition of five Fleet

Naval News Staff 25 Aug 2023

Indian MoD press release

The Ministry of Defence, on August 25, 2023, signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at an overall cost of approx. Rs 19,000 crore. It would be a major boost towards achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing as these ships will be indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, Visakhapatnam. The Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the acquisition of these ships during its meeting on August 16, 2023.

The FSS will be employed for replenishing ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for prolonged periods without returning to harbour. These ships would enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the Fleet. The induction of these ships will significantly enhance the blue water capability of the Indian Navy. The ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people and human assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

The Fleet Support Ships of 44,000 Tons will be the first-of-its kind to be built in India by an Indian Shipyard. This project will generate employment of nearly 168.8 lakh mandays over a period of eight years. The construction of these ships will provide a new dimension to the Indian shipbuilding Industry and encourage active participation of associated industries, including MSMEs. With majority of the equipment and systems being sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will be a proud flag bearer of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in consonance with the ‘Make in India’ initiatives of the Government.

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Naval News comments:

A public sector Shipyard, HSL was nominated for the FSS project by the MoD. The yard had finalized Turkey’s Anadolu Shipyard of TAIS as the design collaborator after a failed attempt to partner with South Korea’s HHI. A contract for design collaboration and supply of key machinery equipment was signed between HSL & Anadolu Shipyard in March 2020.

The signing was greatly delayed due to geopolitical tensions between India and Turkey over the Kashmir issue. After signing the contract with Anadolu Shipyard, a technical bid was submitted by HSL to the Indian Navy and build specifications were obtained for submission of commercial bid to the Navy.

However the delay from MoD in signing a contract with HSL along with the assertion that the FSS fleet “will be indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, Visakhapatnam” has put the continued involvement of TAIS in doubt. Contacted by Naval News, TAIS declined to comment.