Indian DSRV achieves historic first mating outside IOR at XPR-25

The Indian Navy’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East), embarked on INS Nistar, showcased precision and professionalism at Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR-25, hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Over three successive days, the unit achieved three successful matings with international submarines, demonstrating the full spectrum of intervention and rescue operations and establishing India’s position in the global submarine rescue arena.

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XPR-25, held from 15–25 September, featured participation from over 40 nations. Conducted in two phases — a shore phase (15–20 Sep) and a sea phase (21–25 Sep) — the exercise was aimed at enhancing coordination and interoperability in submarine rescue.

Three rescue units embarked on Mother Ships — MV Swift Rescue (RSN), JS Chiyoda (Japan) and INS Nistar — operated alongside the submarines from the Republic of Korea Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), simulating as Disabled Submarines (DISSUBs).

During the shore phase, professional exchanges and an international medical symposium allowed India to present its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system philosophy and post-rescue medical preparedness.

The sea phase in the South China Sea witnessed landmark achievements. On 23 September, the Indian DSRV Tiger X undertook its maiden dive outside the Indian Ocean Region, achieving a historic first mating with ROK Navy’s Submarine Shin Dol-SeokS-082). The Indian DSRV achieved another milestone by mating with RSN’s submarine RSS Invincible.

The culminating event featured a coordinated rescue drill led by the RSN, the first three-asset (R3) rescue in Pacific Reach history. INS Nistar spearheaded operations, localising and surveying the datum passing requisite information to MV Swift Rescue and JS Chiyoda.

With RSS Invincible simulating the distressed submarine, India’s ROV and Indian Navy DSRV were deployed in rapid succession, achieving mating within one hour of the dive. The performance highlighted the Indian Navy’s exceptional proficiency and contributed substantially to the successful conduct of the multinational coordinated R3 rescue – a first for Exercise Pacific series.