India Launches First Fleet Support Ship Surya
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched ‘Surya’, India’s first indigenously built Fleet Support Ship, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam, while also marking the delivery of HAL Koraput’s 2,000th aero-engine.
Surya to Boost Indian Navy’s Operational Reach
Surya is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built for the Indian Navy and has a displacement of around 43,500 tonnes.
The ships will act as floating logistics hubs, supplying fuel, fresh water, ammunition and provisions to naval vessels at sea while also providing limited maintenance support.
This capability is expected to significantly extend the endurance of Indian warships and carrier battle groups during long deployments across the Indian Ocean Region.
Rajnath Singh also laid the keel for the fifth vessel in the series and inaugurated an upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath crane at Hindustan Shipyard.
HAL Koraput Delivers 2,000th Aero-Engine
During a subsequent visit to Odisha, Singh witnessed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Koraput division deliver its 2,000th aero-engine.
The facility has also overhauled more than 9,000 engines over nearly six decades, supporting aircraft including the MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.
HAL is increasing annual production capacity for AL-31FP engines used by the Su-30MKI fleet from 30 to 50 units.
Second Shakti Engine Line Planned at Koraput
Singh also announced a second production line for Shakti helicopter engines at Koraput, involving an investment of ₹218 crore.
The additional capacity will support indigenous helicopter platforms including the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and Prachand Light Combat Helicopter.
The developments form part of India’s wider push to expand domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported military technology.
