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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Tuesday that Indian shipyards must pursue foreign orders and deliver ships on schedule in order to elevate India to a prominent position in maritime affairs. Speaking at the inauguration of the Indian Navy's inaugural indigenous Fleet Support Ship at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, Singh emphasized that India's shipbuilding industry must transition from serving domestic needs to competing on a global scale.

Key factors for this transformation include adopting indigenous design, cultivating skilled personnel, establishing a dependable supply chain, and executing projects cost-effectively while ensuring timely delivery. Singh advocated for Visakhapatnam to become an integrated maritime hub, highlighting the city's strategic advantages such as the Eastern Naval Command, the Naval Dockyard, HSL, and the Visakhapatnam Port.

He proposed a nationwide framework encompassing the Navy, public sector enterprises, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), academia, industry associations, MSMEs, and startups. The goal is to create a comprehensive shipbuilding ecosystem around HSL, bolstered by logistics, port infrastructure, research, technology, and skilled manpower.

According to Singh, India aims to transition from self-reliance to becoming a global maritime power. The Minister also announced the construction of five Fleet Support Ships at HSL, with 82% of the content sourced locally. The first ship, Surya, displaces approximately 43,500 tonnes and possesses the capability to refuel and resupply multiple warships simultaneously.

Singh expressed pride in the Navy's strength and emphasized the importance of Visakhapatnam as the country's leading maritime industrial center.