DSC A20 Joins Fleet, Strengthening India’s Coastal Operations
Kochi: The Indian Navy today commissioned DSC A20, the first of five indigenously built Diving Support Crafts (DSC), at Naval Base Kochi, marking a significant step in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in naval shipbuilding and the operational expansion of coastal and underwater capabilities. Constructed by Titagarh Rail System Limited, Kolkata, the vessel exemplifies the growing domestic capacity to deliver specialised naval platforms while reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command, and hosted by Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, with senior naval officers and representatives from Titagarh Rail System in attendance. The event highlighted the collaboration between the Indian Navy, domestic shipyards, and research institutions, reflecting a model of public-private-technical integration in defence production.
The contract for building five DSCs was signed with the Ministry of Defence on 12 February 2021. During the design stage, hydrodynamic analysis and model testing were conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, ensuring the vessel meets operational and safety standards. DSC A20 has been built according to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, reflecting adherence to established naval engineering benchmarks.
Technically, DSC A20 is a catamaran-hull vessel with a displacement of approximately 390 tons and is fitted with state-of-the-art diving equipment. It is intended for underwater repairs, inspections, harbour clearance, and specialised diving missions in coastal waters. While the craft is auxiliary in nature, its operational utility is critical: underwater infrastructure maintenance, port security, salvage operations, and emergency response require precision and reliability that such platforms provide.
The commissioning of DSC A20 underscores a broader strategic and industrial shift within India’s naval capabilities. By focusing on indigenous design, construction, and certification, the Navy is not only strengthening operational readiness but also cultivating domestic technical expertise in specialised shipbuilding. Analysts note that while the first craft is now operational, the full impact of the program will be measurable only when the remaining four DSCs are delivered and integrated into active deployment.
The project also reflects the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, demonstrating that even niche and technically demanding platforms can now be delivered by domestic shipyards in collaboration with research laboratories. For India’s defence-industrial base, DSC A20 provides a template for replicating complex auxiliary vessel construction, blending operational requirements with local manufacturing capabilities.
In strategic terms, DSC A20 enhances the Navy’s coastal operational flexibility. It allows precise execution of underwater tasks that are increasingly important in a region marked by growing maritime traffic, offshore installations, and the need for rapid response capabilities. The vessel thus serves both as a practical augmentation of the fleet and as a symbolic marker of India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology.
– global bihari bureau
