Diving Support Craft A20 | 18 Dec 2025

Source: PIB 

The Indian Navy commissioned the first indigenous Diving Support Craft (DSC), DSC A20, at Naval Base Kochi (Southern Naval Command), marking a significant enhancement of its underwater operational capabilities. 

• About: A Diving Support Craft (DSC) is a specialised vessel designed to facilitate underwater diving operations, primarily in coastal and harbour environments. 
• Primary Role: The craft is equipped with advanced diving gear for critical missions like underwater repairs, harbour clearance, inspections, and diving operations in coastal waters. 
• Technical Features: The vessel is designed as per the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, ensuring safety and performance standards. 
  • It is a catamaran-hull ship with a displacement of approximately 390 tonnes, optimized for stability and underwater operations. 
• Strategic Significance: It significantly augments the Navy's operational flexibility and self-sufficiency in conducting vital underwater and salvage missions. 
  • The project aligns with the national Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, aiming to reduce dependency on defence imports and build domestic industrial expertise. 
• Other Recent Inductions in the Indian Navy: INS Nistar, INSV Kaundinya, Frigate Himgiri, INS Surat, INS Udaygiri etc.