Ministry of Defence / PIB
Indian
Navy dispatched its Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) on Thursday
to assist Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (TNI AL - Indonesian
Navy) in search and rescue efforts for the Indonesian Submarine
KRINanggala which was reported missing on Wednesday 21 Apr 21.
On 21 April, an alert was received by Indian Navy through International
Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO), regarding the
missing Indonesian submarine. The submarine was reportedly exercising in
a location 25 miles North of Bali with a crew of 53 personnel.
Telephonic Conversation of Raksha Mantri with his Indonesian counterpart
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with the Indonesian Defence Minister Gen Prabowo Subianto, today.
Raksha Mantri said, “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.”
“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”.
“India is committed to assist our strategic partners during times of
necessity. Please accept my concern and best wishes to a successful
rescue.”
General Subianto has acknowledged and appreciated India’s support to Indonesia.
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.
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 meter depth utilising its
state of the art Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and Remotely Operated Vehicle
(ROV). After the submarine is successfully located, another sub module
of DSRV- the Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) - mates with the submarine
to rescue the trapped personnel. The SRV can also be used to provide
emergency supplies to the submarine.
Under the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership between India
and Indonesia, Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy share a strong
partnership of operational cooperation. The two navies have been
exercising regularly in the past and have developed synergy and
interoperability which is considered important for the present mission.