Indian Register of Shipping continues to strengthen its role in supporting the Indian Navy and India’s naval shipbuilding capabilities through the certification of increasingly larger, more complex and technologically advanced naval platforms.

A significant milestone was achieved with the launch of INS Surya, the Indian Navy’s first Fleet Support Ship (FSS) of length 224 meter and displacement of 43000 tons, built under IRS certification, at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. (HSL), Visakhapatnam. The launch is a testimony to IRS’ growing capability to undertake the certification of large and complex naval platforms. On the same day, the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) was laid at HSL marking another important milestone in the programme.

The Fleet Support Ships are designed to enhance the Indian Navy’s operational reach and endurance. They are designed to provide comprehensive logistics support, including simultaneous replenishment of a number of Naval ships at sea, enabling sustained naval operations over extended periods.

Further demonstrating IRS’ capabilities in the certification of complex naval platforms, the keel of the first ship of the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project was laid at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. Designed to operate in the challenging maritime environment of the Indian Ocean Region, the NGMVs will be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensor systems, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and supporting its vision of a future-ready and combat-ready force.

Another complex naval platform built under IRS certification, INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. These vessels are designed to support submarine rescue operations up to the depth of 300 meters and significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to respond to underwater contingencies. Their specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning capability, and integrated life-support and medical facilities enable sustained and complex underwater operations at sea.

Cdr KK Dhawan, of IRS stated, “These milestones underscore the growing technical capabilities of IRS and its contribution to India’s naval shipbuilding ecosystem, supporting the Indian Navy in the indigenous development and induction of advanced platforms for enhanced operational capability and maritime security.”