HSL-class fleet support ship
The HSL-class fleet support vessels are a series of five fleet tanker planned to be built by Hindustan Shipyard (HSL), Visakhapatnam and Larsen & Toubro at Kattupalli Shipyard for the Indian Navy.[2] The deal was signed on 25 August 2023 with an expected project completion timeline of 8 years. These ships will be an indigenous design by the Hindustan Shipyard's in-house design team.[3] The primary role of the vessels would be to replenish ships of the Indian Navy with fuel, food and various other supplies. With a length of 230 m and displacement of 45,000 tonnes (44,000 long tons), these will be the heaviest and the second largest vessels to be in operation in the Indian Navy fleets before 2030.[2][4] HistoryThe fleet support ship project was given a go ahead to augment the existing fleet in 2014. Initially, HSL planned to have a design consultancy with Hyundai Heavy Industries. However, the deal fell off due to latter's insistence of manufacturing the first ship in Korea and disagreement in procurement of major components.[5][6][7] TAIS, Turkey emerged as lowest bidder for the project after the negotiations fell between HSL and Hyundai Heavy Industries. TAIS defeated other shipbuilding behemoths from Germany, Russia, Spain. However, the deal got stuck due to Turkey's stance on Jammu and Kashmir. Later, Hindustan Shipyard and Indian Navy signed the contract with TAIS, Turkey. The design consultancy will be provided by Anadolu Shipyard with transfer of technology required for the manufacturing of the ship.[8][9][10] However, after signing the deal on 25 August 2023, it was revealed that the Turkish shipyard was dropped from the deal and now the design and development will be the sole responsibility of Hindustan Shipyard.[3][11] However HSL is taking the assistance of a Kochi-based firm for design consultancy.[12] On 3 December 2024, Hindustan Shipyard signed a deal with Kongsberg Maritime under which the latter will supply their electric Replenishment-At-Sea (RAS) equipment for the Fleet Support Ships under construction. This technology is reportedly "faster, safer, and more reliable" for supply operations at sea. The system can transfer over 2 tonnes of solid loads as well as liquids like fuel and drinking water.[13][14] On 15 April 2025, Hindustan Shipyard signed another contract with MAN Energy Solutions for the supply of five main propulsion system for the ships. The shaft generators, a part of the propulsion system, would be manufactured in India. As per the contract MAN would also supervise the installation and commissioning of all equipment on the ships through its Indian subsidiary.[1] ConstructionThe Government of India cleared the project for a cost of ₹20,000 crore (US$2.4 billion) on 16 August 2023.[15] The final contract for the five fleet support ship with Indian Navy and Hindustan Shipyard was signed on 25 August 2023 for a total value of ₹19,000 crore (US$2.2 billion). The first ship will be delivered in 4 years from the date of signing of the contract and subsequent ships will be delivered at 10 – 12 months interval. The total project completion timeline is 8 years.[3][16] HSL signed another contract with Larsen & Toubro as a part of which, L&T will manufacture 2 of the Fleet Support Ships at Kattupalli Shipyard under the subsidiary Precision Engineering Systems.[17] Timeline
DesignThe ships will have a displacement of 45,000 tonnes (44,289 long tons) 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). The ships will be equipped with state of the art refueling facility and a hangar which can accommodate one HAL Dhruv.[2][4] These ship will be able to achieve pumping rates up to 2400 TPH. The vessel will also be able to carry ammunition and victualing stores for the fleet. The ship would be equipped with weapons like anti-ship, anti-submarine and CIWS systems.[25] The main propulsion system from MAN Energy Solutions of the ships includes two 20V32/44CR four-stroke marine engines [12 MW (16,000 hp) output], two-shaft generators (1 MWe capacity each), a water-lubricated stern-tube system, MAN Alpha controllable pitch propeller as well as associated gearboxes and bow thrusters.[1] Ships of the class
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See alsoReferences
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