The Indian Government has given final clearance to a project worth Rs 20,000 Crores to build five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy (IN).
The five vessels would be built indigenously by the Visakhapatnam-based Defence Ministry’s Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) with the support of multiple Indian private sector small and medium enterprises.
Noteworthy, once readied these FSS would provide fuel, food, ammunition, and spare parts to ensure the continued operational readiness of warships of different fleets of the Navy at all times during operations.
Further, they will be able to support ships of all classes, including the two Indian aircraft carriers.
As per the plan, HSL is expected to deliver all the ships in about eight years.
Also, to be noted that the IN has a variety of new ships that are being planned, including next generation missile vessels and mine counter vessels.
In addition, three additional Scorpene class submarines are also expected to be ordered from Mazagon Dock Shipyard (MDL) soon.
About Fleet Support Ships
Each ship will be weighing around 45,000 tonnes and a length of 230 metres (754 ft 7 in).
They will have a cruising speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) with a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) and an operating range of 12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km; 14,000 mi) at a speed of 14–15 knots (26–28 km/h; 16–17 mph).
Besides, the ship would be equipped with weapons like anti-ship, anti-submarine and CIWS systems.
Worth mentioning that the Indian FSS project was initially given a go-ahead in 2016 after the Indian Navy projected a requirement for ships that could carry fuel and other supplies for warships at sea.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/and Other Open Sources
