Context:

The Indian Navy has commissioned DSC A20, on 16 December 2025 at Kochi. It is the first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Craft (DSC) in India.

About Diving Support Craft (DSC):

• • • • 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.
      • The ships 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).

General Characteristics:

Features of DSC A20( the first vessel):

• • • • DSC A20 is the lead ship in a series of five Diving Support Crafts being built by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata.
      • Purpose-built for diving and underwater operations in coastal waters, the vessel is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art diving systems that meet the highest safety and operational standards.
      • Featuring a catamaran hull form, the ship offers superior stability, enhanced deck area, and improved seakeeping characteristics. Its displacement is approximately 390 tons.
      • Designed and built in accordance with Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), DSC A20 underwent extensive hydrodynamic analysis and model testing at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Strategic Importance:

• • • • The commissioning of DSC A20 is a milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) and showcases the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the maritime domain.
      • The platform represents seamless collaboration between the Indian Navy, indigenous shipbuilding industry, and national research organisations, delivering technologically advanced, specialised vessels.
      • With its induction, the Indian Navy’s capability in diving support, underwater inspection, salvage assistance, and coastal operational deployment will be substantially enhanced.
      • DSC A20 will be based at Kochi and operate under the Southern Naval Command.

Conclusion:

The commissioning of DSC A20 strengthens the technical and operational horizon of the Indian Navy while reinforcing the nation’s self-reliance in indigenous naval construction and research.