Navy demonstrates DSRV capabilities to rescue submarines & lives in distress at Milan 2024

February 21, 2024

Vishakapatnam: Amid extending support in the rescue operation for any downed submarine in distress under the sea to the neighboring countries in Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy, during Milan 2024 exercise, demonstrated the operation of Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) capability to the representatives of 55 countries participating at Hindustan shipyard, Vishakhapatnam on Tuesday.

The Indian Navy, with the help of a presentation, showed the capability of DSRV and how it is capable of rescuing a submarine and the lives of navy personnel entangled in it under the sea.

Officer in-charge of DSRV Caption Vivek Gautam said that Indian DSRV can rescue and save the lives of 14 persons at one time. The Indian Navy’s DSRV is capable of providing rescue assistance to a 650-metre sea depth.

“We have air transportation services if required. The heavy system associated with DSRV could be transported by air in a situation of distress in the Indian Ocean region and other countries too, and shifted to a ship of needed country have a similar footprint of our ship,” Caption Vivek Gautam said.

More than 14 countries in the world have submarine operation. Only 12 nations have submarine rescue operation capabilities. Our DSRV system is definitely one of the most advanced. The Indian Navy has come forward to shake hands with those countries who want to avail our DSRV assistance,  Captain Gautam said.

Top brass of Indian Navy have initiated talks with neighbouring countries for MoU agreement for this purpose, he added. The Indian Navy inducted its first DSRV in November 2018 and the second in 2019. 

How it works?

This DSRV system has a Side Scan Sonar for locating the position of the submarine in distress at sea, providing immediate relief by way of posting Emergency Life Support Containers with the help of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and thereafter rescuing the crew of the submarine using the DSRV itself.

In a submarine accident, rapidity of response is most crucial to safety of life. To ensure early mobilisation, the System has been procured in a Flyaway configuration which permits rapid transportation of the Rescue System from the base to the exact location of the distressed submarine by transportation using air/land/sea vessels.

The Indian DSRV is the latest in terms of technology and capabilities. Supplied by M/s James Fishes Defence, UK these are based on the West and East Coast of India respectively to provide redundancy, high operational availability and early response to deal with a submarine contingency.

These ships would be deployed for deep sea diving operations. Additionally, with Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) embarked, the DSVs are designed to undertake submarine rescue operations, in case requirement exists. Furthermore, these ships will be capable of sustained patrolling, conducting Search & Rescue operations and carrying out Helicopter Operations at high seas. With approximately 80 % indigenous content, the DSV project has generated considerable local employment opportunities and has also promoted indigenization which in turn will aid in boosting India’s economy.