Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) terminated contract with Turkish firms to construct five fleet support ships for the Indian Navy and would now carry out design work on the project on its own.
Turkish firms will no longer play any role in the construction of the Indian Navy’s fleet support ships as the Hindustan Shipyard Limited has terminated all its arrangements with them.
Turkish firms were earlier roped in by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the construction of five warships for the Indian Navy. The shipyard would now carry out design work on the project on its own.
“The arrangements with Turkish firms were needed before getting final approval from the central government in August last year,” defence officials informed.
The Steel Cutting ceremony of the first of five fleet support ships was held at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Vishakapatnam on April 10 in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and other senior officials from the Indian Navy and the Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
The Indian Navy signed a contract with the HSL for the acquisition of five fleet support ships in August 2023. The ships are scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2027.
Upon induction, the ships would bolster the ‘Blue Water’ capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of fleet ships at sea.
The ships, with more than 40,000 tonnes displacement, will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling prolonged operations without returning to the harbour, thus enhancing the fleet’s strategic reach and mobility.
In a secondary role, these ships would be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities.