Indian Navy augments maritime capabilities with launch of 'DSC A 21' diving support craft

The Indian Navy with the launch of 'DSC A 21', the second vessel in a series of five Diving Support Crafts (DSCs) being constructed by Titagarh Rail Systems (TRSL), Kolkata, augmented its maritime operational capabilities, on October 30, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral K Swaminathan, Chief of Personnel, who witnessed the traditional naval tradition of ship-launching, carried out by Laila Swaminathan.

As per an official statement, designed for specialised diving operations in harbours and coastal waters, these 30-metre catamaran-hulled ships, weighing approximately 300 tons, are equipped with ‘cutting-edge’ diving equipment. The contract for the construction of these DSCs was formalised on 12th February 2021 between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and TRSL.

Emphasising self-reliance, as per the Ministry of Defence, these vessels are 'Made in India', adhering to the ‘stringent’ regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The hydrodynamic analysis and model testing were conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam during the design phase. Previously, on August 31st, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited launched the first DSC. TRSL is entrusted with the construction of a total of five DSCs, with an estimated contract value of approximately Rs 175 crore.