With the objective of providing safety cover to submarines in case of a mishap, the Indian Navy will acquire two diving support vessels(DSV)indigenously manufactured by a public sector company. These vessels facilitate operations like rescue of submarines, under water inspection salvage and recovery of ship and aircraft lost at sea. The total cost of the contract is more than Rs 2,500 crores.
The Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Vishakhapatnam, will manufacture the DSVs to augment the Indian Navy’s submarine support operations on either coast. The first vessel to be built over a 36 month period would be followed by the second, six months later. The vessels to be based at Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai respectively, would be of 118 m in length and of weigh approximately 7,650 tons, navy officials said here on Wednesday.
Explaining the significance of having DSVs, they said in addition to operating submarines to secure our waters, the Indian Navy undertakes diving operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This necessitates extensive diving operations to facilitate various activities such as submarine rescue, under water inspection, testing or salvage, and recovery of objects like ship and aircraft lost at sea.
As these activities involve diving operations with divers remaining underwater for prolonged durations, it requires a suitable platform for their launch and recovery, as well as for carriage of related tools and equipment. The DSV is also equipped with a Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), which significantly enhances its Submarine Rescue Capabilities.
Contract for procurement of two sets of non-tethered DSRV, capable of effecting submarine rescue up to depths of 650 meters was earlier signed with a UK firm, M/s James Fisher Defence, in March 2016. The first DSRV was delivered at Mumbai in April this year and the second DSRV slated for Vishakhapatnam is expected by end December.
While a submarine is a significant strategic asset, it is also vulnerable to action damage, requiring extensive diving for undertaking Search and Rescue (SAR) operations that demand the availability of a credible and suitably equipped platform. Induction of DSVs equipped with DSRV, will go a long way in enhancing the Indian Navy’s capability and reach of submarine rescue operations in the IOR, they said.
Meanwhile, in the series of meetings of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium(IONS)Working Group(IWG) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), the third meeting is scheduled at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Vishakhapatnam for two days starting Wednesday.
Indian Navy played the lead role in shaping IONS in 2008 and it is 21st century’s first significant international maritime security initiative. It provides a forum for discussion of regional maritime issues and promotes friendly relationships among member nations in the Indian Ocean region. The IONS, at present, has 24 members and eight observer navies.
Participants from the IWG member nations including Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Oman and Thailand, will be participating in the two day event. The ‘Guidelines on HADR for IONS nations,’ prepared by the Indian Navy will be validated by conduct of a Table Top Exercise as part of the meeting. The participants will also exchange lessons learnt during the conduct of HADR operations by respective navies with special reference to galvanising the IONS efforts to respond in a faster and coordinated manner, officials said.