Rajnath Singh to Launch Fleet Support Ship-1 at Visakhapatnam on 6 October 2026

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to launch Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1) at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, on 6 October 2026. The same programme includes laying the keel of Fleet Support Ship-5 (FSS-5) and inaugurating an upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane. FSS-1 is the first of five replenishment ships being built for the Indian Navy.

Status as of 6 October 2026

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) release was posted on 5 October 2026 at 4:10 PM. It is written in the future tense. The GKToday item is dated 6 October 2026 and also says the minister is "scheduled" to carry out these tasks. The PIB page shows a last-updated time of 6 October 2026, 10:00 AM, but still describes the events as upcoming.

The supplied evidence does not confirm that the launch, keel laying or inauguration has taken place. Treat these as scheduled events, not completed ones, until an official post-event report is available.

Event at a glance

Why Fleet Support Ships matter

What they do

Fleet Support Ships are auxiliary vessels that replenish warships at sea. PIB says the five ships, each of 43,500 tonnes, will extend the Navy's endurance and reach across the Indian Ocean Region. Ships that can be resupplied at sea can stay deployed longer without returning to port.

Build timeline

According to PIB, FSS-1 will enter the waters of the Bay of Bengal about 18 months after steel cutting. PIB also says the keel laying of FSS-5 marks the programme's move towards series production. The evidence gives no delivery dates or contract details, so none are stated here.

Slipway-4 and the Goliath Crane

PIB says the upgraded Slipway-4 has an extended length and higher load-bearing capability. Together with the 300-tonne Goliath Crane, it will let the yard build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 DWT. A slipway is an inclined structure from which ships are launched into the water. Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) measures a ship's maximum carrying capacity. A Goliath crane is a heavy-lift gantry crane used for large hull sections and modules.

HAL Koraput and the Shakti engine (GKToday only)

GKToday adds that Rajnath Singh is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for new facilities at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Koraput district for the Shakti helicopter engine programme. The PIB release supplied here does not mention this, so treat it as single-source.

• The Shakti engine is officially the Safran Ardiden 1H1, a joint programme of HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines.
• GKToday lists its use in the Dhruv, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and the Light Utility Helicopter.
• GKToday links a second Shakti production line to an investment of ₹218 crore and refers to a 2,000th aero-engine milestone at HAL Koraput. The supplied text gives no further detail, so these figures should be verified against an official source before use.

Exam-relevant points

These points are useful background for defence and current-affairs preparation. They do not predict any exam question.

• Fleet Support Ships are replenishment vessels, a naval logistics category.
• The series has five ships, each of 43,500 tonnes. FSS-1 is being launched and FSS-5's keel is to be laid.
• HSL is in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Upgraded Slipway-4 and the 300-tonne Goliath Crane are meant for vessels up to 45,000 DWT.
• The Shakti engine is a HAL–Safran joint programme.

Evidence limits

• No source supplied confirms the events actually took place.
• The keel-laying date for FSS-5 is given as 6 October 2026 only as a scheduled event.
• The HAL Koraput details rest on GKToday alone.

FAQ

When is the FSS-1 launch scheduled?

6 October 2026, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, according to PIB (published 5 October 2026).

How many Fleet Support Ships is the Navy building?

Five, each of 43,500 tonnes, according to both sources.

What size of ship can the upgraded facilities handle?

Vessels of up to 45,000 DWT, according to PIB.