look news india
New Delhi, 23 February (HS). After acquiring underwater search and rescue capability, India has offered its submarine rescue capabilities to many of its friendly countries, in which many countries have shown interest. With this system, the exact location of a submarine in distress in the depths of the sea can be detected and searched. At present, this facility is available to 12 countries including India, America, China, Russia and Singapore.
Captain Vikas Gautam, officer in-charge of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) unit of the Indian Navy located in Visakhapatnam, said that the Indian Navy has the capability to rescue ships submerged in the depths of the sea. The system has a side scan sonar to detect a submarine in distress and rescue the submarine's crew by deploying emergency containers with the help of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Indeed, safety of life is of utmost importance in a submarine accident. Therefore this system has been purchased in flyaway configuration, which can detect the exact location of a submarine in distress in the depths of the sea.
Captain Gautam said India has acquired the capability to deploy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) in 2018 to locate sunken ships and submarines and conduct rescue operations as per need. Only a few countries have this facility to search and rescue a crashed submarine but the Indian DSRV is the latest in terms of technology and capabilities. To deal with submarine contingencies, this technology has been supplied to India by the British company James Fishes Defence, which has been established on the western and eastern coasts of India. Through this technology, various types of submarines can be detected and personnel can be rescued and safely transferred from submarine to DSRV.
A senior officer of the Submarine Rescue Unit of the Indian Navy said that these capabilities acquired are considered important tools for mapping unknown ocean currents, providing advanced navigation support to the underwater platforms of the Indian Navy. With an average depth of about 16 metres, Visakhapatnam is one of the few port cities with deep entry for ocean-going vessels. Due to the natural features here, submarines can be operated close to the coast.
He said that at present this facility is available to 12 countries including India, America, China, Russia and Singapore. Capable of operating at a depth of 650 meters in the sea, this advanced technology highlights the Indian Navy's commitment towards regional maritime security. India is at the forefront among about 40 countries with submarine capability. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has indigenously built two diving support vessels (DSVs) for submarine rescue operations, which were launched on 22 Sep 22. The Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) are the first of their kind indigenously designed and built at HSL for the Navy.
He informed that these ships will be deployed for deep sea diving operations. With a length of 118.4 meters and a displacement of 9,350 tonnes, the DSV is designed to conduct submarine rescue operations if required along with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). Apart from this, these ships will be capable of conducting continuous patrolling, conducting search and rescue operations and conducting helicopter operations in the high seas. The DSV project with approximately 80% indigenous content has created considerable local employment opportunities and also promoted indigenization, which in turn will help boost India's economy.
