Navy locates sunk PNS Ghazi with its DSRV at Vizag
The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) of the Indian Navy located the wreckage of the Pakistani submarine Ghazi near the Vizag harbour, shedding light on a critical moment of 1971 War. This discovery also showcases India’s advanced underwater search and rescue capabilities.
The Navy’s DSRV has brought to light the wreckage of the sunk submarine PNS-Ghazi. Earlier in the past only a few naval divers had gone over the wreckage This discovery at Visakhapatnam now highlights India’s advanced underwater search and rescue capabilities.
On a routine mission, one of the Indian Navy’s DSRVs, located the long-lost PNS-Ghazi. The submarine, dispatched by Pakistan with the intent to mine India’s eastern seaboard and target the INS Vikrant, met its demise off the Vizag coast on December 4, 1971.
The discovery of its wreckage, lying silently at a depth of around 100 meters and just 2 to 2.5 km from the Vizag coast, is a testament to the DSRVs’ capability to perform complex rescue missions at depths of up to 650 meters. This capability was demonstrated recently, marking a significant milestone in underwater exploration.
The Andhra Coast is of strategic importance and highly suitable for submarine operations due to its deep inlets and an average depth of about 16 meters. It also the resting place for not just the PNS-Ghazi but also a Japanese submarine from World War II. This discovery underscores Vizag’s significance in naval warfare.
The Navy never disturbed the wreckage of Ghazi except long back Naval divers had taken off its hatch and presented it to the Naval Maritime History Society at Mumbai. the Indian Navy respects the lives laid down in combat and acknowledges the area’s role in shaping maritime history. The operation of the DSRV is part of India’s initiative to enhance its strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean, a move amply emphasized during the MILAN 2024 naval exercise.
The inclusion of two indigenously manufactured diving support vessels (DSVs) alongside the DSRVs in the Indian Navy’s arsenal is a strong statement of India’s commitment to regional maritime safety. These vessels not only underscore the capability to operate at significant depths but also represent an advancement in indigenous defence technology. The mapping of the PNS-Ghazi, facilitated by this state-of-the-art technology, reiterates India’s growing capabilities in underwater search and rescue operations, promising a safer future for maritime endeavours in the region.
The recent revisiting of the PNS Ghazi by the Indian Navy’s DSRV not only sheds light on a pivotal moment of the past but also showcases the leaps in technology and strategic foresight that define India’s position in maritime safety and regional security today. As the sea continues to be unforgiving, it is the skill, dedication, and technological acumen of those willing to explore its depths that will guide us through the pages of history yet to be written.
