Kolkata: The Indian Navy received a significant boost to its diving and underwater support capabilities with the delivery of DSC A20, the first of five Diving Support Craft (DSC) being indigenously constructed by Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL), Kolkata. The vessel was officially handed over to the Navy on September 16, 2025.
First in Class: DSC A20
The DSC A20 is the first ship in a series of five Diving Support Craft, built under a contract signed on February 12, 2021, between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. The vessel is designed for diving operations in coastal waters and is equipped with state-of-the-art diving systems for a variety of underwater tasks.
Technical Features and Design
- Displacement: Approx. 380 tons
- Hull Type: Catamaran
- Primary Role: Diving operations in coastal zones
- Built Under: Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) naval rules
Design Testing: Hydrodynamic analysis and model testing conducted at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
The vessel embodies modern engineering and is a symbol of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Pushing the ‘Make in India’ Naval Agenda
The delivery of DSC A20 reinforces India’s commitment to indigenous defence production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. These ships represent a significant leap forward in homegrown naval technologies and underscore the country’s growing capacity to design, test, and build advanced maritime platforms domestically.
Future Deployments
Following this delivery, four more Diving Support Crafts are expected to be inducted into the Indian Navy in a phased manner. These specialized vessels will be used for:
- Maintenance of underwater structures
- Training of Navy divers
- Search and rescue operations
- Minor salvage tasks
About TRSL
Titagarh is Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, a leading Indian manufacturer of railway rolling stock, including passenger trains, metro coaches, and freight wagons, also producing components like bogies and couplers. Incorporated in 1997 with a headquarters in Kolkata, the company is known for being India’s first private manufacturer of EMU/MEMU coaches and has expanded its business to include propulsion systems, shipbuilding, and specialized bridges.
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