Indian Navy Acquires Deep Submarine Rescue Capability

PTI | Oct 13, 2018

“Global subsea operations and engineering company JFD, part of James Fisher and Sons plc, was awarded a £193 million contract by the Indian Navy for the provision and long term support of its submarine rescue capability. The contract included the design, build and supply of two complete submarine rescue systems, and a 25-year all inclusive annual maintenance contract. Under the most recent contract, JFD will provide two complete fly-away submarine rescue systems, including Deep Search and Rescue Vehicles (DSRV), Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) equipment, Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) systems and all logistics and support equipment required to operate the service. The equipment will be designed, manufactured, integrated and tested by JFD prior to shipping to India for final commissioning and trials. The service support will be managed in country by a team of JFD engineers. Over the life of the contract, the JFD team will train local teams of engineers to maintain the systems.” (Marine Technology News 24 March 2016)

NEW DELHI: Enhancing its operational capabilities, the Navy has inducted its first deep submergence rescue vehicle which is deployed to rescue downed or disaster-struck submarines at high sea.

Navy spokesperson Capt DK Sharma said that with induction of the deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV), India has joined a select group of countries that have the capability to locate and rescue “distressed submarines”.

At present, the US, China, Russia and a few other countries have the capabilities to deploy DSRVs.

“Indian Navy joins select league of nations with capability to search, locate and provide rescue to distressed submarines by induction of first Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel(DSRV) and associated kit in fly away configuration,” he said.

Though DSRVs are used for rescue of personnel in downed submarines, they are also deployed for various other missions including to lay cables on the sea bed.

Some DSRV vessels are air transportable in very large military cargo.

Capt Sharma said the DSRV which was inducted can be mobilised from the naval base in Mumbai to nearest mounting port by air, land and sea.

The second DSRV is expected to be inducted at Visakhapatnam in 2019.

“The DSRV can be mobilised from Naval base at Mumbai to nearest mounting port by air/land or sea for providing rapid rescue to the submarine in distress,” the Navy spokesperson said.

Indian Navy sources said induction of the DSRV was part of the Navy’s efforts to enhance operational capabilities when China has been ramping up its maritime presence in critical sea lanes which are of strategic importance to India.

Last year, the Indian Navy operationalised a new concept of deployment of warships in the Indian Ocean region to effectively counter China’s growing presence in the strategically key waters

The “new mission-based deployment” involves deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications.

Courtesy: TOI