News: India is participating in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR 25), commencing on 15 September 2025, under Eastern Fleet command.
About Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR 25)
- XPR 25 is a biennial submarine rescue exercise
- It is hosted by Singapore with 40+ nations as participants or observers.
- The exercise will mainly be conducted in two phases:
- Harbour phase: This phase will involve in-depth discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), medical symposium and cross deck visits between the participating nations.
- Sea phase: This phase of the exercise would witness INS Nistar and SRU(E) engaging in multiple intervention and rescue operations with participating assets in South China Sea.
- Location: XPR 25 is hosted by Singapore, with a harbour phase in Singapore and a sea phase in the South China Sea.
About INS Nistar
- Type and status: Latest indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Indian Navy.
- Commissioning: 18 July 2025.
- Command: Functions under the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
- Role in XPR 25: Will act as mothership (MoSHIP) for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
- Key onboard capabilities: It has- Side Scan Sonar, work-class and observation-class ROVs, and expansive deep-sea diving systems. It is capable of rescue operations till depths of 650 meters
