International, Defence and Summits · 22 August 2026

Indian Navy Inaugurates LARS Test Plinth at Visakhapatnam to Boost Submarine Rescue Preparedness

Exam-focused facts from the 22 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East), Visakhapatnam.
  • The LARS Test Plinth is an in-house test setup for shore-based trials and maintenance of the Launch and Recovery System of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
  • The facility enables routine assessment and validation of critical submarine rescue equipment without relying solely on operational deployments.
  • The LARS is vital for safe deployment and recovery of the DSRV during rescue missions, ensuring effective rescue of submariners in distress.
  • The initiative enhances the Indian Navy's submarine rescue preparedness along the Eastern Seaboard and reflects its focus on indigenous technical capability.