India Sends Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel For Search Of Missing Indonesian Submarine

Indian Navy dispatched its Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) on Thursday (22 April) to assist Indonesian Navy in search and rescue efforts for the Indonesian Submarine KRI Nanggala which was reported missing on Wednesday (21 April).

On 21 April, an alert was received by Indian Navy through the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO), regarding the missing Indonesian submarine. The submarine was reportedly exercising in a location 25 miles north of Bali with a crew of 53 personnel.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with the Indonesian Defence Minister Gen Prabowo Subianto, on Thursday.

“I am extremely pained to hear about the missing Indonesian Submarine Nanggala with 53 crew on board. As a well wisher and a Defence Minister myself I can feel the pain and anguish. At this point I would like to extend the full support of the Indian Armed Forces to the Indonesian Rescue effort,” Rajnath Singh said.

“I have already directed the Indian Navy to move its Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) to Indonesia. I have also tasked the Indian Air Force to see the feasibility of induction of the DSRV intervention system by air,” he said to Indonesian counterpart.

Submarine rescue is required to be undertaken when a submarine is reported to be missing or sunk and specialised equipment is required for underwater search to locate the disabled submarine and rescue the personnel who are trapped inside the submarine, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

India is amongst the few countries in the world capable of undertaking search and rescue of a disabled submarine through a DSRV. Indian Navy’s DSRV system can locate a submarine upto 1000 meter depth utilising its state of the art Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

After the submarine is successfully located, another sub module of DSRV- the Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) - mates with the submarine to rescue the trapped personnel. The SRV can also be used to provide emergency supplies to the submarine.

Under the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Indonesia, Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy share a strong partnership of operational cooperation. The two navies have been exercising regularly in the past and have developed synergy and interoperability which is considered important for the present mission.