In a significant capability boost for the Indian Navy, the Central Government has given approval for the procurement of five fleet support ships (FSS) worth ₹20,000 crore, reported ANI.

These vessels will help in the replenishment of naval warships, at sea by supplying them essential items like fuel, food, and ammunition.

These five FSS will be manufactured by Visakhapatnam-based state-run Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL).

According to the ANI report, the Central government gave final clearance to this project during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 20,000 crore.

“Around Rs 20,000 crore project was given final clearance by the Central government in a high-level meeting on Wednesday. The five fleet support ships will be built by the HSL with the support of multiple Indian private sector small and medium enterprises,” the report quoted an official as saying.

This approval comes after repeated delays of more than 9 years. The FSS project was initially proposed in 2014.

However, the project encountered persistent delays.

Firstly, due to differences between HSL and the Korean design consultant Hyundai Heavy Industries, and secondly, with the Turkish shipyard TAIS due to Turkey's stance on Jammu and Kashmir after the amendment in Article 370.

The project is anticipated to generate thousands of new jobs over an extended period and enhance the capabilities of industries aligned with the project, the report stated.

Each of these ships will weigh approximately 45,000 tonnes, and will be delivered within eight years.