Indian Navy launches fifth indigenous Diving Support Craft at Kolkata
New Delhi. The Indian Navy on August 1, 2026 launched DSC A24, the fifth and final vessel under its five-ship Diving Support Craft (DSC) project, at the Titagarh shipyard in Kolkata, marking another milestone in the country’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme.
The vessel was launched by Kamal Singh in the presence of Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Chief of Personnel, during a ceremony conducted with full naval traditions. Senior officials of the Indian Navy and representatives of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), the shipbuilder, attended the event.
The five Diving Support Craft are being constructed by TRSL at its Kolkata facility. Designed with a catamaran hull and displacing around 300-400 tonnes, the vessels offer greater stability, enhanced deck space and improved sea-keeping capabilities, making them well suited for diving operations and underwater missions.
The craft have been designed and built in accordance with the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
According to the Ministry of Defence, the induction of the new vessels will significantly strengthen the Navy’s capabilities in diving support, underwater inspection, salvage assistance and coastal operational deployment.
The project also highlights India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with nearly 70 percent of the main and auxiliary equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers. The Ministry said the Diving Support Craft are a reflection of the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ initiatives aimed at enhancing indigenous defence production.