Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East), Visakhapatnam, marking an important enhancement to the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue infrastructure.
The newly established facility is a unique in-house test setup designed to enable shore-based trials and maintenance of the Launch and Recovery System of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
The LARS is a critical component of submarine rescue operations, enabling the safe deployment and recovery of the DSRV during missions. The new test facility will provide the Submarine Rescue Unit with greater capability to routinely assess, maintain and validate the system without relying solely on operational deployments.
The facility is expected to strengthen the reliability and availability of the submarine rescue system by facilitating timely maintenance and testing of critical equipment.
The establishment of the LARS Test Plinth also enhances the Navy’s ability to sustain its submarine rescue preparedness along the Eastern Seaboard, where rapid response capability is essential for supporting submarines operating in the maritime domain.
The initiative reflects the Indian Navy’s focus on developing indigenous and in-house technical capabilities to improve operational readiness and ensure the sustained upkeep of specialised equipment.
The inauguration marks another step towards strengthening the Navy’s submarine rescue ecosystem and ensuring that critical rescue capabilities remain ready for deployment whenever required.
