What happened?
On August 12, 2025, the Indian Navy successfully completed a Rescue Seat Certification for the South African Navy’s SAS Manthatisi submarine, marking the first time India has conducted such an operation for a foreign navy. The certification, carried out in Simon’s Town, South Africa, ensures that India’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) can dock with the South African submarine in an emergency, enabling real-time submarine rescue cooperation. This operational milestone will facilitate the implementation of the Submarine Rescue and Cooperation Implementation Agreement, signed on September 3, 2024, between Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and South African Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese. The agreement allows India to provide undersea rescue support to South Africa in case of submarine distress.
Why it matters to India
The certification represents a significant step forward in India-South Africa defence cooperation, especially in the field of maritime security. It showcases the Indian Navy’s growing technological capabilities in submarine rescue operations and its readiness to support friendly foreign navies in complex undersea environments. An Indian Navy delegation engaged with senior officials, including Rear Admiral Handsome Matsane, and held technical discussions with ARMSCOR Dockyard, the Institute of Maritime Technology, and other South African Navy teams, further reinforcing bilateral defence ties. The Ministry of Defence emphasised that this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to regional maritime safety and underscores India’s expanding role in international naval cooperation. The successful completion of the certification enhances operational readiness, interoperability, and trust between the two navies.