Indian Navy’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East), embarked on INS Nistar, demonstrated its advanced submarine rescue capability at Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR-25) hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy. Over three consecutive days, the Indian unit achieved three successful matings with international submarines, covering the full spectrum of intervention and rescue operations. The performance established India as a strong and reliable partner in the global submarine rescue community.
XPR-25 was conducted from 15–25 September 2025 in the Republic of Singapore and the South China Sea. The exercise brought together over 40 participating nations. It was structured in two phases — the shore phase (15–20 September) focused on knowledge sharing and medical preparedness, while the sea phase (21–25 September) tested multinational submarine rescue operations.
During the shore phase, India presented the philosophy of its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) system and its post-rescue medical capabilities at an international medical symposium.
In the sea phase, the Indian Navy’s DSRV Tiger X achieved its first-ever foreign submarine mating with Republic of Korea Navy’s submarine Shin Dol-Seok on 23 September.
A second milestone was achieved when the Indian DSRV successfully mated with Republic of Singapore Navy’s submarine RSS Invincible.
The exercise culminated on 25 September 2025 with a historic multinational R3 rescue drill, the first of its kind in Pacific Reach history. INS Nistar led the coordinated effort by localising and surveying the distressed submarine (RSS Invincible), before passing vital data to allied rescue units MV Swift Rescue (RSN) and JS Chiyoda (Japan). India’s ROV and DSRV were deployed in rapid succession, achieving a successful mating within one hour of the dive, underscoring India’s speed and precision in submarine rescue.
XPR-25 reinforced India’s reputation as a nation with cutting-edge submarine rescue capability, marking a watershed moment in Indian Navy’s global operations. The exercise demonstrated India’s ability to operate seamlessly with international partners, enhanced interoperability, and highlighted its commitment to global submarine safety and maritime security.
