Indian Navy Achieves Historic Maiden Mating with Foreign Submarines in South China Sea

The Indian Navy has successfully carried out its first-ever maiden mating of assets with foreign submarines during a multinational exercise in the South China Sea, marking a significant achievement in global submarine rescue operations. The milestone was accomplished during Exercise Pacific Reach (XPR-25), a biennial event hosted by Singapore, which began on September 15 with participation from over 40 nations as active participants and observers.

What Does "Mating" Mean in Naval Terms?

In naval parlance, mating refers to the precise alignment and connection of a Submarine Rescue System with a distressed submarine. It is one of the most critical phases in submarine rescue, ensuring that trapped submariners can be evacuated safely. Successful mating proves the capability of a rescue system to operate with submarines of different designs and nationalities, highlighting interoperability and technical precision.

India’s Role in Exercise Pacific Reach

The Indian Navy deployed INS Nistar, an indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), which is currently operating under the Eastern Fleet Command. INS Nistar made its maiden port call at Changi, Singapore, on September 14 before the exercise began. During the sea phase, India’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East) conducted multiple intervention and rescue operations alongside international assets.

According to officials, over three days, the Indian Navy carried out three successful mates, including ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) operations, demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of its advanced rescue systems.

Growing Submarine Rescue Capabilities

India’s submarine rescue capability received a major boost with the induction of two Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) in 2018–19, one each for the eastern and western seaboards. These DSRVs can conduct rescue missions up to a depth of 650 meters, placing India among an elite group of nations with such specialized capability.

These DSRVs can be transported by air, land, and sea, making them rapidly deployable for emergencies not only in Indian waters but also in support of friendly foreign navies. This makes India a reliable maritime partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

Strategic Importance

A senior naval official emphasized that the successful maiden mating highlights India’s readiness, interoperability, and commitment to global submarine rescue efforts. It positions India as a dependable maritime partner and a proactive contributor to regional safety and humanitarian response at sea.

By proving its ability to integrate with foreign submarines, India has strengthened its credibility in international naval cooperation, particularly in the strategically sensitive South China Sea, where freedom of navigation and maritime safety are critical global concerns.

The successful participation of the Indian Navy in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 is a testament to India’s technological advancement and global responsibility. The achievement of maiden mating with foreign submarines not only demonstrates India’s world-class submarine rescue capabilities but also reinforces its role as a key security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.