DSC A22 launched to strengthen Indian Navy’s diving support and coastal operations. Explore design, role, specifications, and strategic importance of DSC A22 for India’s defence.
Launch of DSC A22 – Strengthening India’s Naval Diving Support Capability
Launch of DSC A22 and Overview
On 12 September 2025, the Indian Navy launched DSC A22, the third vessel in the five-ship series of Diving Support Craft (DSC) built under the DSC project. The craft is being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. (TRSL), located in Kolkata. The launch ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, who is the Commander-in-Chief (Eastern Naval Command), and the ship was formally launched by Mrs. Kangana Berry, in keeping with naval ceremonial traditions.
Purpose & Role of Diving Support Crafts
The primary role of these DSCs is to undertake diving operations in coastal waters. This includes submarine rescue, hull inspections and maintenance, underwater salvage, inspection and repair of underwater infrastructure, and training of diving teams. These craft are especially significant for operations in shallow or near-harbour waters where stability, agility, and robust diving systems are essential.
Design & Technical Specifications
DSC A22 shares common features with its sister ships. It is a catamaran-hull vessel, which confers improved stability and deck space, a useful feature for diving operations especially in rough seas or shallow zones. Its displacement is approximately 380 tonnes. The craft is being designed under the relevant regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Hydrodynamic analysis and model-scale testing were carried out at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, to ensure performance in varied sea conditions. This includes stability, manoeuvrability, and efficient fuel consumption under different load and sea states.
The Contract & Indigenous Production
The project contract for building five DSCs was signed on 12 February 2021 between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and TRSL. These vessels are part of India’s broader push toward indigenization in defence, under programmes such as Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. TRSL, previously more known for its rail-system businesses, is expanding its capabilities into shipbuilding and specifically naval support craft. This project indicates confidence by the Indian government in private sector defence manufacturing.
Strategic & Operational Significance
With rising concerns over threats in coastal and littoral zones, underwater security, sabotage, and growing maritime infrastructure, having dedicated diving support vessels enhances readiness and operational flexibility. DSC A22, along with its sister ships, strengthens the Navy’s capacity to conduct essential underwater tasks, respond to emergencies undersea, perform salvage or rescue operations, and maintain naval assets more effectively. This is especially important in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) where India has strategic interests.
Why This News Is Important
Boost to Indian Naval Capability
This launch marks a significant enhancement in India’s naval operational capability, especially for underwater and coastal domains. By bringing into service DSC A22, the Navy’s capacity for diving, rescue, and salvage operations improves greatly. Such capabilities are vital for maintaining security in harbours and coastal installations, ensuring safety of submarines, and managing underwater threats or accidents.
Indigenization & Defence Manufacturing Growth
The DSC project underscores India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence production. Using a domestic shipbuilder (TRSL) for building these vessels, and following Indian rules (such as IRS standards), aligns with national policies of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. For the exams, noting how the government is supporting private industry to expand into newer domains (shipbuilding, naval support) is important.
Relevance for Exam Topics
For aspirants of UPSC, State PSCs, banking and defence exams, this news connects to multiple syllabus areas: defence preparedness, India’s maritime strategy, technological and industrial development, Make in India, and strategic geography (Indian Ocean Region). Questions could target specifications of these craft, their roles, or policy dimensions.
Historical Context
Earlier Steps in Diving Support
India has progressively been enhancing its undersea capabilities over decades. Diving support craft are part of a tradition of maintaining environments for naval divers, submarine rescue and underwater infrastructure. Earlier, India commissioned other classes of diving or rescue vessels, like the Nistar-class Diving Support Vessels, which target deeper or broad maritime domain operations.
DSC Project Origins
The contract for the DSC project was signed in February 2021, committing to build five such vessels. The first two (DSC A20 and A21) preceded A22, with similar design features like catamaran hulls, approx 380 tonnes displacement, indigenous construction, and technical testing via IRS and NSTL. The project is aligned with existing naval efforts to expand coastal defense, support diving teams, and ensure secure underwater infrastructure.
Broader Defence Policy & Make in India
India’s strategic policy in recent years has emphasized reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, boosting domestic industry, and enabling private sector participation in defence production. Shipbuilding (especially non-capital ships like support, patrol, and diving craft) has been a key focus, enabling quicker build times, cost control, and skill development. The DSC project is one among several such efforts in tandem with programmes like Strategic Partnership model, offsets, and increased funding for defence R&D.
Key Takeaways from Launch of DSC A22
| S. No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | DSC A22 is the third of five Diving Support Crafts under construction for the Indian Navy. |
| 2. | The project is with Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL), Kolkata; contract signed on 12 February 2021. |
| 3. | DSCs are built with a catamaran hull, displacement about 380 tonnes, designed under Indian Register of Shipping standards. |
| 4. | Built indigenously, with design validation through Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) testing. |
| 5. | The launch contributes to India’s coastal diving, salvage, submarine rescue and underwater inspection capabilities, aligned with Make in India / Aatmanirbhar Bharat. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is DSC A22?
DSC A22 is the third Diving Support Craft built for the Indian Navy under the five-ship DSC project. It is designed to support diving, submarine rescue, underwater inspection, and salvage operations.
2. Who is building DSC A22?
The craft is being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. (TRSL), Kolkata, under a contract with the Ministry of Defence.
3. What is the displacement and design of DSC A22?
DSC A22 has a catamaran hull and a displacement of approximately 380 tonnes, designed under the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) standards.
4. What is the main role of Diving Support Crafts in the Indian Navy?
DSCs are primarily used for coastal diving operations, including submarine rescue, hull inspections, underwater maintenance, salvage operations, and training of naval divers.
5. When was the contract for the DSC project signed?
The contract for building five Diving Support Crafts was signed on 12 February 2021 between the Ministry of Defence and TRSL.
6. Why is DSC A22 significant for India’s defence strategy?
It enhances India’s underwater and coastal operational capabilities, supports maritime security, and aligns with the Make in India initiative for indigenously built defence equipment.
7. Where was DSC A22 launched?
The vessel was launched at the Titagarh shipyard in Kolkata by Mrs. Kangana Berry, with Vice Admiral Suraj Berry presiding over the ceremony.
8. Which laboratory validated the design and performance of DSC A22?
The design and hydrodynamic performance of DSC A22 were validated by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
9. How does DSC A22 support submarine operations?
DSC A22 assists in submarine rescue, hull maintenance, and underwater inspection, ensuring operational readiness and safety of submarines in coastal waters.
10. How does DSC A22 align with Aatmanirbhar Bharat?
The project is fully indigenous, boosting domestic shipbuilding capabilities and supporting private sector participation in defence manufacturing.
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