India, South Africa Sign Agreement On Submarine Rescue Collaboration

September 4, 2024 – The agreement of assistance for submarine rescue operations was formally signed by the two navies on September, 04,between India and South Africa. This memorandum underscores the importance of bilateral collaboration and is designed to safeguard South African submariners in case disaster strikes.

Summary of the Indian South African Submarine Agreement

• Under it, Indian Navy will deploy its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to recover submarines in distress.
• The DSRV is a distinctive vehicle that can plumb the depths of the ocean to extricate those trapped in submarines.
• The agreement is a follow-up to South Africa's tragic incident in September 2023 with SAS Manthatisi submarine.
• India: Two DSRVs, from the UK that can dive up to 650 meters and rescue as many sonner |V personnrl in one mission.
• In 2018, one of India's DSRVs provided the nation a national record by diving to 666 meters underwater.
• India has already shared its expertise in submarine rescue with other countries through an MoU signed with Singapore.
• In April 2021, one of India's DSRVs was dispatched to locate the sunken Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala.
• It Enhances the partnership and is a shared commitment to maritime security in IOR (Indian Ocean Region)