Diving support craft (Indian navy)

Diving Support Craft (DSC) are a series of 5 small-category diving support vessels being built for the Indian Navy by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited. These are designed and equipped with state-of-the-art apparatus to support diving operations in coastal under water environment. The vessels are designed to meet the mission needs of Command Clearance Diving Teams (CCDTs). A contract worth 174.77 crore (equivalent to 196 crore or US$23 million in 2023) was signed between Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) and the Indian Navy on 12 February 2021.[1][2][3] The Indian Navy is expected to receive all five diving support craft in FY2024-25.[4] Diving support vessels are important for both military and commercial diving. They are used for underwater work such as inspecting and maintaining pipelines, well-heads, and mobile platforms. They will be used for providing diving assistance to all ships inside and close to harbour for underwater repair, maintenance and salvage.[5]

The diving support craft were launched by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited in Kolkata
Class overview
NameDSC class
BuildersTitagarh Rail Systems
OperatorsIndian Navy
Cost
  • 174.77 crore (equivalent to 196 crore or US$23 million in 2023) for five ships
  • 30 crore (US$3.6 million) per ship (FY 2023)
Building5
Completed3
General characteristics
TypeDiving support craft
Displacement300 t (300 long tons; 330 short tons)
Length30 m (98 ft)
Beam12 m (39 ft)
Draught<2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
ComplementDiving team
Armament1 × 12.7 mm SRCG

The ships have been indigenously designed and the systems were tested at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of DRDO.[6] They are 30 m long catamaran hull ships, with a displacement of around 300 tons.[7]

Ships in the class

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Pennant Yard Number Laid Down Launched Commissioning Status
  Indian Navy
A20 325 27 January 2022[8] 31 August 2023[6] Launched
A21 326 5 May 2022[3] 30 October 2023[5][7]
A22 327 12 August 2022[9] Under construction
A23 328 17 January 2023[10]
A24 329 31 August 2023[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Titagarh Rail Systems rolls out new diving support craft for Indian Navy". The Indian Express. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Titagarh Rail Systems launches diving support craft for Indian Navy". The Economic Times. 31 August 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Keel Laying of Second Ship - Diving Support Craft At m/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd, Kolkata". Press Information Bureau. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Indian Navy Signs Contract for Acquisition of Five Diving Support Craft (DSC)". Press Information Bureau. 12 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Launch of DSC A 21 (Yard 326) second ship of 05 X Diving Support Craft (DSC) project on 30 Oct 23 at M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSl), Kolkata". indiannavy.nic.in. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "LAUNCH OF 'DSC A 20 (YARD 325)' FIRST SHIP OF 05 x DIVING SUPPORT CRAFT (DSC) PROJECT 31 AUG 23 AT M/S TITAGARH RAIL SYSTEMS (TRSL), KOLKATA". Press Information Bureau. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b "LAUNCH OF DSC A 21 (YARD 326) SECOND SHIP OF 05 x DIVING SUPPORT CRAFT (DSC) PROJECT ON 30 OCT 23 AT M/S TITAGARH RAIL SYSTEMS LIMITED (TRSL), KOLKATA". Press Information Bureau. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  8. ^ "KEEL LAYING OF FIRST OF CLASS - DIVING SUPPORT CRAFT AT M/S TITAGARH WAGONS LTD, KOLKATA". Press Information Bureau. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  9. ^ "KEEL LAYING OF THIRD SHIP - DIVING SUPPORT CRAFT AT M/S TITAGARH WAGONS LTD, KOLKATA". Press Information Bureau. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Keel Laying of Fourth Ship - Diving Support Craft At M/S Titagarh Wagons Ltd, Kolkata". Press Information Bureau. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2024.