Source: PIB
Subject: Defence
Context: The Indian Navy will commission DSC A20, its first indigenously designed Diving Support Craft, at Kochi.
About Diving Support Craft (DSC) A20:
What it is?
- A purpose-built Diving Support Craft designed for underwater operations such as diving missions, inspection, repair, and salvage in coastal waters.
Developed by: Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata
Aim:
- To enhance the Navy’s diving, underwater inspection, salvage, and coastal operational support.
- To strengthen indigenous maritime capability under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Key Features:
- Catamaran hull form: superior stability, larger deck area, improved seakeeping.
- Approx. displacement: 390 tons.
- Advanced state-of-the-art diving systems meeting top safety and operational standards.
- Designed and built as per Naval Rules & Regulations of IRS.
- Underwent comprehensive hydrodynamic analysis and model testing at NSTL, Visakhapatnam.
- Lead ship in a series of five Diving Support Craft.
Significance:
- Strengthens India’s underwater operations, salvage, and coastal mission capabilities.
- Enhances operational readiness of the Southern Naval Command (based at Kochi).
- Represents a milestone in indigenisation and defence manufacturing, showcasing synergy between industry, research bodies, and the Navy.
