Indian Navy augments submarine rescue capability
17 Oct 2018
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The Indian Navy's submarine rescue capability got a boost with the successful completion of trials of the newly-inducted deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV).
The Western Naval Command has successfully concluded maiden trials of its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), ushering in a niche capability to the Indian Navy.
The DSRV, which is operated by a crew of three, can rescue 14 personnel from a disabled submarine at one time.
On 15 Oct 2018, The DSRV carried out the first under water mating with a bottomed submarine, at a depth of over 300 feet. On successful mating, the DSRV opened its hatches and the submarine hatches and carried out transfer of personnel from the submarine to the DSRV.
The sea trials have proven the ability of the newly inducted DSRV to undertake rescue operations from disabled submarines at sea and has provided the Indian Navy with a critical capability,. Says a defence ministry release.
During the trials the DSRV also dived successfully up to 666 metres. This is a record for deepest submergence by a ‘manned vessel’ in Indian waters. The DSRV crew has also carried out ROV operations at over 750 metres and Side Scan Sonar operations at over 650 metres, which are all ‘firsts’ for the Indian Navy.
The ongoing trials will also include air transportation of the system by IAF’s heavy-lift transport aircraft. Completion of the trials will put the Indian Navy into a small league of world navies that have integral submarine rescue capability.
