Visakhapatnam Gets New Submarine Rescue Test Plinth

A new shore-based Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth was inaugurated on 19 August 2026 at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) in Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the facility for submarine rescue preparedness.

Launch and Recovery System in Submarine Rescue

The Launch and Recovery System is a technical arrangement used to deploy and recover a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). A DSRV is a specialised underwater rescue platform used for submarine crew evacuation in emergency conditions.

Shore-Based Testing and Maintenance

The new test plinth is designed for shore-based trials, testing, and maintenance of the DSRV Launch and Recovery System. Such a facility allows routine validation of rescue machinery in a controlled environment without dependence on active maritime deployment.

Indian Navy Submarine Rescue Capability

The Submarine Rescue Unit (East) functions under the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue framework on the eastern seaboard. The new infrastructure supports operational readiness, timely upkeep of critical systems, and rapid-response capability for underwater rescue operations.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Eastern Naval Command is headquartered at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
• A Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle is used for rescuing personnel from disabled submarines.
• Launch and Recovery Systems are essential for operating submarine rescue vehicles safely.
• Shore-based test facilities are used for maintenance and functional checks of defence equipment.

Indigenous Defence Maintenance Capability

The LARS Test Plinth adds an in-house technical facility for maintaining a specialised defence asset. The Indian Navy uses such indigenous support systems to sustain complex equipment and improve long-term operational availability.