What happened
On October 1, 2025, the Indian Navy’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East), embarked on INS Nistar, successfully completed three matings with international submarines during XPR-25, hosted by the Singapore Navy (RSN). The exercise, held from September 15–25, included shore and sea phases with participation from over 40 nations. India’s DSRV Tiger X achieved its maiden foreign submarine matings with the ROK Navy’s Shin Dol-Seok and RSN’s RSS Invincible, while the culminating three-asset (R3) rescue drill marked the first coordinated multinational rescue in Pacific Reach history.
Why it matters to India
The operation underscores India’s growing expertise and credibility in global submarine rescue operations. By achieving historic foreign matings and participating in a complex multinational rescue drill, India demonstrates its operational excellence, strengthens international interoperability, and reinforces its commitment to submarine safety worldwide. The exercise also positions India as a capable partner in enhancing maritime security and humanitarian response capabilities.