Defence
Indian Navy Showcases Global Submarine Rescue Prowess At Exercise Pacific Reach In South China Sea
Pic Via MoD
The Indian Navy marked a historic milestone in international submarine safety operations by showcasing its full-spectrum rescue capabilities at Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR-25), hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy.
The Navy’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East), embarked on INS Nistar, executed multiple successful rescue matings with foreign submarines, establishing India as a credible global player in submarine rescue.
Over a three-day operational window during the sea phase in the South China Sea, the Indian Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Tiger X conducted three successful matings with international submarines.
These included the Republic of Korea Navy’s Shin Dol-Seok (S-082) and the Republic of Singapore Navy’s RSS Invincible.
It is worth noting that this was the maiden dive and first-ever foreign submarine mating for an Indian DSRV outside the Indian Ocean Region.
The culminating event on 25 September 2025 featured a multinational coordinated R3 rescue drill — the first in Pacific Reach history.
INS Nistar spearheaded operations by localising and surveying the datum of the distressed submarine, before passing data to Singapore’s MV Swift Rescue and Japan’s JS Chiyoda.
Held from 15–25 September 2025, Exercise Pacific Reach drew participation from over 40 nations.
The shore phase included professional exchanges and a global medical symposium, where India presented its DSRV system philosophy and post-rescue medical preparedness.
The sea phase in South China Sea tested real-time rescue drills with disabled submarine simulations (DISSUBs) provided by the Republic of Korea, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and the Republic of Singapore Navy.
The Ministry of Defence hailed XPR-25 as a watershed moment in India’s submarine rescue journey.
With multiple historic firsts — including maiden foreign submarine matings and participation in a three-nation coordinated rescue — the exercise reinforced the Indian Navy’s commitment to international cooperation and submarine safety.
