India, Oct. 6 -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday launched Surya, India's first indigenous fleet support ship (FSS), at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd in Visakhapatnam, the first of five such vessels being built at a cost of Rs.19,000 crore to boost the navy's reach and endurance.

A warship's launch marks a significant milestone in its construction, referring to the vessel entering the water for the first time.

"India needs strong maritime capability. Our goal is to go beyond self-reliance and become a global maritime power," said Singh. Navy chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was present.

Singh also laid the keel of another fleet support ship and inaugurated an upgraded slipway and a 300-tonne crane at the public sector yard. The defe...