JFD Delivers Second Third-gen Submarine Rescue System to Indian Navy

JFD has delivered the second of two Third Generation submarine rescue systems to the Indian Navy.

Having completed factory acceptance testing which was signed off by the Indian Navy, the second system has been delivered to the customer just eight months after the first system, the company said in a statement last week.

Under a £193m contract, JFD is providing two complete Third Generation fly-away submarine rescue systems to the Indian Navy, including Deep Search and Rescue Vehicles (DSRV), Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) equipment, Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) systems, and all logistics and support equipment required to operate the service.

The contract also includes a 25-year all-encompassing maintenance support service. The equipment was designed, manufactured, integrated and tested by JFD prior to shipping to India, with the second system expected to arrive in country in January 2019. The system will be mobilised onto the rescue vessel in order to begin a full series of Sea Acceptance Trials (SATs), with JFD personnel remaining in country to work in close partnership with the Indian Navy to complete comprehensive training on the safe operation of the system.

“The active participation of the Indian Navy throughout the build, acceptance and ongoing trials of the two systems trials is key to conducting safe and efficient operations in support of submarine rescue to allow them the ability to respond effectively to an emergency when a submarine is in distress,” said Giovanni Corbetta, JFD Managing Director.

The Indian Navy formally inducted its first DSRV into service at a ceremony in Mumbai, India on the 12 December meaning that the Indian Navy has now joined a select league of nations with the capability to search, locate and provide rescue to distressed submarines.