Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said India needs a strong and integrated maritime ecosystem to further enhance its maritime power and strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.
The Defence Minister today launched Fleet Support Ship-1, laid the keel for Fleet Support Ship-5 and inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Singh said the launch of Fleet Support Ship-1, keel laying of Fleet Support Ship-5 and inauguration of upgraded infrastructure at HSL mark important steps in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.
He said Fleet Support Ship-1, named ‘Surya’, will strengthen the Indian Navy’s reach, endurance and operational effectiveness. He said the new slipway and Goliath crane at HSL will further enhance the shipyard’s capacity to undertake large shipbuilding projects.
The Defence Minister said the Indian Navy has repeatedly demonstrated its capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region as a first responder and preferred security partner. He said the Navy has played an important role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, anti-piracy operations, evacuation missions and maritime security.
Mr Singh said, Hindustan Shipyard Limited has played an important role in meeting India’s maritime and defence requirements for more than eight decades. He said the shipyard’s Miniratna Category-I status, accorded in 2025, reflects its transformation and improved financial position.
The Defence Minister said the Navy, shipyards, DRDO, academia, industry, MSMEs and start-ups need to work together as an integrated team to build a strong national maritime ecosystem.
Mr Singh said India has immense potential in shipbuilding, but the challenge is to convert this potential into capability and global competitiveness. He stressed the need to focus on timely delivery, productivity, indigenous design capability, resilient supply chains, skilled manpower, capacity expansion and cost competitiveness.
He said India’s defence manufacturing sector has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, with the country moving from dependence on imported platforms towards designing and manufacturing advanced systems and platforms domestically.
Mr Singh said India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, with a self-reliant, secure and prosperous economy and a respected position in the world.
