Indian Navy Completes Rescue Certification for South African Submarine SAS Manthatisi
The Indian Navy has achieved a significant milestone in defence collaboration with South Africa by successfully completing the Rescue Seat Certification for the South African Navy's submarine, SAS Manthatisi. This marks the first time such a certification has been granted to a Friendly Foreign Navy.
Conducted in South Africa, the certification allows the Indian Navy to deploy its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to assist South African submarines in emergencies. This effort is a direct result of the Submarine Rescue and Cooperation Implementation Agreement signed in September 2024 between Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff of India, and Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy.
During this mission, Indian Navy officials met with Rear Admiral Handsome Matsane, who is the Flag Officer of the South African Navy Fleet. They also had discussions with South Africa's Armscor Dockyard, the Institute of Maritime Technology, and various naval technical teams. The certification process involved thorough training and evaluations, highlighting the Indian Navy's dedication to ensuring maritime safety and operational effectiveness.
This achievement follows the discussions held during the 9th Joint Defence Committee meeting in Johannesburg in June 2025, where Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh led the Indian delegation. The meeting resulted in new agreements on submarine cooperation and reinforced both nations' commitment to maintaining a secure Indian Ocean Region.
India and South Africa have shared a defence partnership since 1996, with numerous agreements enhancing cooperation in areas such as equipment, training, and joint operations. The completion of the rescue seat certification is viewed as a pivotal advancement in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
