The Indian Navy has achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting its first-ever submarine intervention and rescue exercise with foreign submarines in the South China Sea. This operation is a part of the broader framework of Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR-25), hosted by Singapore, and underscores India’s growing global maritime capabilities.
The exercise was executed from the INS Nistar, which is the Navy’s latest indigenously designed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) currently on its inaugural overseas deployment. Throughout the three-day exercise, the Indian Submarine Rescue Unit (East) achieved remarkable results, including three successful mating operations with foreign submarines and operations involving Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV). These efforts highlight India’s readiness and ability to work interoperably with international naval forces.
Describing the accomplishment as a “milestone,” the Indian Navy emphasized its expanding submarine rescue capabilities, humanitarian mission, and reliability as a partner in maritime operations. Commodore Anil Jai Singh (Retd), a strategic analyst, remarked on the importance of submarine rescue capabilities as a visible demonstration of military diplomacy and soft power projection.
XPR-25 featured participation from over 40 nations, both as active participants and observers, and was conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase involved harbor activities that included symposiums, expert exchanges, and cross-deck visits, fostering collaboration among the participating nations. The subsequent sea phase saw the INS Nistar and various international naval assets engage in multiple rescue drills.
This exercise takes place against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, characterized by overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. In this context, India’s involvement in XPR-25 not only demonstrates its operational capabilities but also positions the country as a reliable contributor to maritime safety and regional stability.
