The commissioning will take place under the Southern Naval Command in the presence of Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, an official statement said
The induction of DSC A20 marks a major boost to the Navy’s ability to conduct diving and underwater operations in coastal waters. Pic/Defence PRO
The Indian Navy will commission DSC A20, the first vessel in its new series of indigenously designed Diving Support Craft, on December 16, 2025 at Kochi, an official statement said on Friday.
The commissioning will take place under the Southern Naval Command in the presence of Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
The induction of DSC A20 marks a major boost to the Navy’s ability to conduct diving and underwater operations in coastal waters.
First of five purpose-built diving support vessels
According to the statement, DSC A20 is the lead ship in a fleet of five Diving Support Craft being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) in Kolkata. The vessel is specially designed for a wide range of underwater tasks, including diving operations, inspections, rescue support, and salvage activities.
It is fitted with advanced and modern diving systems, meeting the highest safety and operational standards required for such missions.
Catamaran design for better performance
The vessel features a catamaran hull design, which provides better stability, more deck space, and improved handling at sea. With a displacement of around 390 tonnes, DSC A20 has been designed and constructed as per the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Before final approval, it underwent detailed hydrodynamic studies and model testing at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam to ensure strong performance and reliability in all conditions.
Step forward in defence
The statement said that the commissioning of DSC A20 is seen as another milestone in India’s drive towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. The project highlights effective collaboration between the Indian Navy, Indian shipbuilders, and national research institutions.
Once commissioned, DSC A20 will be based in Kochi and operate under the Southern Naval Command, significantly enhancing the Navy’s underwater support capability.
"The commissioning of DSC A20 marks a milestone in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta and exemplifies success of ‘Make in India ’ initiative in the maritime domain. The platform represents seamless collaboration between the Indian Navy, the indigenous shipbuilding industry, and national research organisations in delivering specialised, technologically advanced vessels," the official statement said.
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