Indian Navy Unveils Fourth Indigenous Diving Support Craft DSC A23
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New Delhi/Kolkata, April 20 (NationPress) The Indian Navy has officially commissioned DSC A23, marking the fourth addition to its fleet of five indigenous Diving Support Crafts (DSC). The ceremony took place at Titagarh in Kolkata, led by Deepa Sivakumar, and attended by Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, Chief of Materiel, as confirmed by an official source on Monday.
The ceremony, held on Sunday, adhered to all naval traditions and was executed with ceremonial grandeur, attended by esteemed officials from the Indian Navy and Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence.
These vessels, measuring 30 meters in length with a displacement of approximately 380 tons, boast remarkable stability, an expansive deck area, and enhanced sea-keeping abilities, making them ideal for diving operations in coastal regions and harbors.
Developed in compliance with the Naval Rules and Regulations set by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), the project underwent comprehensive Model Testing and Hydrodynamic Analysis at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, as stated in the announcement.
The induction of these craft significantly enhances the Navy’s capabilities in diving support, underwater inspections, salvage operations, and coastal deployments.
With 70% of the main and auxiliary components sourced from domestic manufacturers, the Diving Support Craft stands as a proud emblem of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives spearheaded by the Government of India (GoI) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Earlier in December, the Navy welcomed DSC A20, the first of the five indigenous Diving Support Crafts, stationed at Kochi, as reported by an official.
This event was overseen by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, and hosted by Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, along with senior naval personnel and representatives from Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL).
The contract for constructing five Diving Support Craft was finalized between the Ministry of Defence and TRSL on February 12, 2021, as per the statement.