Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla Inaugurates LARS Test Plinth for DSRV Rescue Unit in Visakhapatnam

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, has inaugurated a new Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) in Visakhapatnam, adding an important shore-based capability to the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue infrastructure.

The newly established facility has been designed as a unique in-house test setup for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), allowing the Navy to conduct shore-based trials and carry out maintenance of the vehicle’s Launch and Recovery System without depending solely on operational deployments.

The LARS is a vital part of submarine rescue operations because it is used to safely deploy the DSRV and recover it after a mission. By creating a dedicated test plinth for this system, the Submarine Rescue Unit will now be able to routinely assess, maintain and validate critical equipment in a controlled environment.

Officials said the facility is expected to improve the reliability and availability of the submarine rescue system by enabling timely maintenance and testing of essential components. That, in turn, will help ensure that the rescue setup remains ready for use when required.

The development also carries operational significance for the Eastern Seaboard, where the Navy must maintain rapid response capability to support submarines operating in the maritime domain. The new test plinth is intended to strengthen preparedness in that region by improving the sustainment of submarine rescue assets.

The initiative also reflects the Indian Navy’s broader emphasis on building indigenous and in-house technical capability to improve operational readiness and ensure the sustained upkeep of specialised equipment. In that sense, the inauguration of the LARS Test Plinth is another step in strengthening the Navy’s submarine rescue ecosystem and keeping critical rescue capabilities ready for deployment whenever needed.