About Exercise Pacific Reach 2025:
- It is a multinational conducted in Singapore.
- It is a biennial exercise which will witness participation of more than 40 nations.
- The exercise is mainly conducted in two phases, including the harbour and sea phases.
- Focus of the Exercise: The harbour phase will involve in-depth discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), a medical symposium and cross-deck visits between the participating nations.
- The Sea phase of the exercise would witness INS Nistar and Submarine Rescue Unit (E) engaging in multiple intervention and rescue operations with participating assets in the South China Sea.
Key Facts about INS Nistar
- It was commissioned on 18 Jul 2025.
- It was developed by HSL, Visakhapatnam, under the Ministry of Defence’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
- The ship with its Side Scan Sonar, Work & observation class ROVs and expansive deep sea diving systems will be carrying out the role of mothership (MoSHIP) for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
- Diving and Rescue Capabilities
- Integrated Saturation Diving System (ISDS): Enables diver deployment at depths up to 300 meters, supporting underwater repairs, salvage, and rescue operations.
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): These can be deployed for underwater surveillance and recovery missions in deep waters.
- Side Scan Sonar and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS): Aid in locating submerged vessels or wreckage and managing onboard systems, respectively.
- Submarine Rescue System: Especially crucial for submarine emergencies, allowing the timely and safe recovery of personnel from disabled submarines.
