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Indian Navy is offering its submarine rescue capabilities to friendly countries, a key highlight of the ongoing multilateral naval exercise Milan-24 in Visakhapatnam that will further India’s defence diplomacy.
On Tuesday, the Navy showcased its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to the delegates of 50 countries at the mega naval exercise that began on Monday.
A submarine rescue operation is undertaken when the vessel is reported missing or has sunk. The DSRV can help in locating the disabled submarine, rescue the trapped personnel or provide them emergency supplies.
The Navy had acquired two advanced DSRVs—one each for India’s west coast and east coast in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, respectively—in 2018 and 2019 from James Fisher Defence, UK.
As on date, India is among the 12 countries, including the US, China, Russia and Singapore, to possess this niche technology. Only 40 countries operate submarines.
Additionally, the Navy is also awaiting induction of two diving support vessels (DSVs)—also for submarine rescue operations—being indigenously made by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Visakhapatnam.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Rear Admiral K Venkatraman, Flag Officer Submarines, said several nations have shown a keen interest in making use of India’s capability.
He said while the Navy already has an Implementing Agreement with Singapore, a similar pact is expected with South Africa during MILAN-24, adding that Japan and some other countries have also shown interest in it.
Addressing the foreign delegates Tuesday, Captain Vikas Gautam, officer in-charge, Submarine Rescue Unit (East), said the DSRV system is capable of reaching anywhere across the globe in times of distress.
In 2021, the Navy mobilised one of its DSRV to assist Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (TNI AL – Indonesian Navy) in search and rescue efforts for the Indonesian Submarine KRI Nanggala which was reported missing.
Indian Navy’s DSRV system can locate a submarine up to 1,000-metre depth utilising its state-of-the-art Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
Live undersea matings with different types of submarines along with transfer of personnel from submarine to DSRV has also been achieved. As per officials, the rescue operation can take place within 96 hours even as it, at times, depends on other factors like the logistics and infrastructure available.
The indigenously-built Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) are 118.4 metres long, 22.8 metres at the broadest point and will have a displacement of 9,350 tonnes and they would be deployed for deep sea diving operations. Aside from submarine rescue operations, they will be capable of sustained patrolling, conducting search and rescue operations and carrying out helicopter operations at high seas.
Visakhapatnam is hosting the 12th edition of MILAN from February 19 to 27. The exercise would comprise two phases, ‘Harbour Phase’ and ‘Sea Phase’. The first phase would comprise international maritime seminar, international city parade at R K Beach, maritime tech exhibition, subject matter expert exchange, Milan of young officers and various sporting events.
In the Sea phase, ships along with aircraft of friendly foreign countries would participate along with Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers and other units.
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