The Indian Navy will commission DSC A20, the first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Craft (DSC), into its service on 16 December 2025 at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command. The formal commissioning ceremony, to be presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, will mark a major enhancement in the Navy’s operational capabilities. The induction of DSC A20 represents a significant milestone for the naval fleet, greatly strengthening the Navy’s diving and underwater support operations.
DSC A20 is the first vessel in a series of five Diving Support Crafts constructed by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata. The vessel is specially designed to support a wide range of diving and underwater missions in coastal waters. It is equipped with modern and sophisticated diving systems that meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Featuring a catamaran hull configuration, the vessel offers superior stability, an expanded deck area, and enhanced seaworthiness. With a displacement of approximately 390 tonnes, DSC A20 has been designed and built in accordance with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) Naval Rules and Regulations. Extensive hydrodynamic analysis and model testing were carried out at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam to ensure optimum performance, stability, and long-term reliability.
The commissioning of DSC A20 marks a significant step in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing and stands as a strong demonstration of the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the maritime sector. This advanced platform showcases effective collaboration between the Indian Navy, indigenous shipbuilding industry, and national research institutions.
With its induction, the Indian Navy’s capabilities in diving assistance, underwater inspection, rescue operations, and coastal deployment will receive a major boost. DSC A20 will be based in Kochi and will perform its operational duties under the Southern Naval Command.
