Bengaluru: India Navy has dispatched its Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) to assist   Indonesian Navy in search and rescue efforts for the Indonesian Submarine KRI Nanggala, reports Swarajya. 

It might be recorded that Indian Navy had received an alert through the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO). The submarine was reportedly exercising in a location 25 miles north of Bali with a crew of 53 personnel.

“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 was quoted as saying.

“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.

In its statement, the defence ministry said that the 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 website notes that 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-metre depth utilising its state-of-the-art Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).