Indian Navy launches 5th DSC vessel in Kolkata, boosting indigenous maritime capability

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) The Indian Navy has launched DSC A24, the fifth and final vessel under the Diving Support Craft (DSC) Project, marking another milestone in the country’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme. 

The vessel was launched on Saturday at M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) in Kolkata by Kamal Singh in the presence of Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Chief of Personnel. The launch ceremony was conducted with full naval traditions and attended by senior officials of the Indian Navy and TRSL.

Announcing the development on X, the Indian Navy’s spokesperson described it as “Yet another proud milestone for the Indian Navy!”

The Navy said the “Fifth ship of Diving Support Craft Project, DSC A24” was launched on August 1 and highlighted that the vessel is “equipped with state-of-the-art diving systems and is tailor-made for conducting operational dives.”

The spokesperson further said the Diving Support Craft are “a testament to engineering excellence and indigenous capability” and are “proud flag bearers of the Make in India initiative, strengthening Indian Navy’s offshore diving capabilities.”

According to the Ministry of Defence, the five Diving Support Craft are being constructed by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, Kolkata, in accordance with the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

The ministry said the vessels feature a catamaran-hull form with an approximate displacement of 300 to 400 tonnes, offering superior stability, enhanced deck space and improved sea-keeping characteristics, making them well-suited for diving operations.

The specialised craft have been designed to support a range of critical naval missions, including operational diving, underwater inspection, salvage assistance and coastal operational deployment.

The Ministry of Defence said the induction of these vessels would significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s capabilities in diving support, underwater inspection, salvage assistance and coastal operational deployment, strengthening its ability to undertake specialised underwater missions.

Highlighting the project’s emphasis on indigenous manufacturing, the ministry said nearly 70 per cent of the main and auxiliary equipment installed on the vessels has been sourced from Indian manufacturers.

The ministry added that the Diving Support Craft are “proud flag bearers of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative of Government of India (GoI)/ Ministry of the Defence (MoD),” reflecting the country’s growing self-reliance in defence production and maritime capability development.

The launch of DSC A24 marks the completion of the five-vessel Diving Support Craft Project and represents another step in the Indian Navy’s efforts to modernise its specialised fleet through indigenous design and construction.

--IANS

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