Indian Navy Commissions DSC A20, First Indigenous Diving Support Craft
DSC A20 is the first vessel of a five-ship Diving Support Craft programme contracted by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Image courtesy: Indian Navy
The Indian Navy commissioned DSC A20, the first of five Diving Support Craft, during a ceremony held at Naval Base, Kochi, on December 16. The platform has been built indigenously by M/s Titagarh Rail System Limited, marking another addition to the Navy’s expanding fleet of specialised support vessels.
The commissioning comes as the Indian Navy continues to focus on enhancing underwater operational capabilities while advancing indigenous shipbuilding under government-led self-reliance initiatives.
What is DSC A20 and why is it significant for the Indian Navy?
DSC A20 is the first vessel of a five-ship Diving Support Craft programme contracted by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). These vessels are designed to support a range of underwater operations, including diving missions, harbour clearance tasks, inspections, and repairs in coastal waters.
The craft has been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Built on a catamaran-hull configuration, DSC A20 has a displacement of approximately 390 tonnes. It is equipped with modern diving systems intended to support complex underwater tasks undertaken by the Indian Navy in both routine and operational scenarios.
Who presided over the commissioning ceremony?
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. The event was hosted by Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition.
Senior naval officers, representatives from M/s Titagarh Rail System Limited, Kolkata, and other distinguished guests were present at the ceremony, underscoring the collaborative effort between the Navy and the domestic shipbuilding industry.
How was DSC A20 developed and built?
The contract for the construction of five Diving Support Craft was signed between the Ministry of Defence and M/s Titagarh Rail System Limited, Kolkata, on February 12, 2021. As part of the design process, hydrodynamic analysis and model testing were undertaken at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam.
The programme reflects increasing involvement of Indian industry and naval research institutions in the development of specialised platforms tailored to operational requirements.
How does DSC A20 align with India’s indigenous shipbuilding efforts?
The commissioning of DSC A20 adds to the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. The construction of a specialised diving support platform within India demonstrates growing domestic expertise in naval engineering and production.
The programme aligns with the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by reducing reliance on imported platforms and reinforcing the role of Indian shipbuilders in meeting the Navy’s operational needs.
With DSC A20 entering service, the Indian Navy takes another step towards enhancing its underwater support and maintenance capabilities while continuing to expand its indigenous naval fleet.
