Bolstering Blue Water Capabilities: India’s Strategic Push for Fleet Support Ships

In a strategic move to bolster the Indian Navy’s operational reach, the Ministry of Defence has commenced the construction and launch phase of the Fleet Support Ship (FSS) project at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam. The launch of FSS-1, coupled with the keel-laying ceremony for FSS-5, underscores a concerted effort to transition from a coastal-centric force to a true blue-water navy capable of sustained long-range deployments. Fleet Support Ships are critical force multipliers. Unlike combat vessels, these ships are designed to provide replenishment at sea—supplying fuel, ammunition, water, and provisions to warships operating far from home ports. By extending the 'sea-legs' of the Indian Navy, these vessels allow for prolonged presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond. This capability is essential for maintaining maritime domain awareness and responding to security challenges, including piracy, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the protection of vital sea lines of communication (SLOCs).