India marks aero-engine milestone and launches first indigenous Fleet Support Ship

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a series of high-profile visits to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to mark significant milestones in India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

At Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Koraput, Odisha, the minister celebrated the delivery of the company’s 2,000th aero-engine. This milestone includes the delivery of an AL-31FP engine used in Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. To meet rising demand for indigenous helicopter platforms like the Dhruv and Prachand, HAL is establishing a second production line for Shakti engines with an investment of Rs 218 crore, which is expected to increase annual capacity from 80 to 180 engines.

In Visakhapatnam, Singh visited Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) to launch the first indigenous Fleet Support Ship, INS Surya (FSS-1). The 43,500-tonne vessel is designed to provide at-sea replenishment and logistics to the Indian Navy, extending its operational reach in the Indian Ocean Region. During the visit, Singh also laid the keel for the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) and inaugurated upgraded infrastructure, including a new Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane, to enable the construction of larger vessels up to 45,000 DWT.

These developments underscore the Indian government’s strategic push to transition from a major importer of defence equipment to a global designer and manufacturer of advanced military systems.