The Indian Navy has inaugurated a new shore-based Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at its Submarine Rescue Unit (East) in Visakhapatnam. The facility was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, on August 19. The test plinth is designed to support trials and maintenance of the LARS used with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). The DSRV is a specialised underwater rescue platform designed to assist crews of disabled submarines during emergencies. The new facility allows critical rescue equipment to be tested and maintained in a controlled shore-based environment. This can reduce the need to depend entirely on operational deployments for routine testing and maintenance. Regular validation of the equipment can help improve its reliability and availability during emergencies. The facility is expected to strengthen rapid-response preparedness for submarine rescue operations along India’s Eastern Seaboard. It also adds an in-house technical capability for maintaining specialised rescue systems. The development reflects the Navy’s focus on improving operational readiness and strengthening indigenous defence support infrastructure. Visakhapatnam, as the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, remains an important centre for India’s maritime and submarine operations. The new facility is expected to further strengthen the city’s role in the Navy’s submarine rescue ecosystem