Houlder, an independent design and consultancy company, in collaboration with an Indonesian strategic ally, BTI Defence, is all set to unveil a groundbreaking Submarine Rescue System (SRS) that will be hosted on a custom-built mothership. This venture is designed to strengthen Indonesia’s defense proficiency and expand its submarine rescue capabilities.
Embarking On A New Age Of Submarine Rescue
The three-year-long construction deal incorporates the design and assembly of the SRS in the UK, with SMP’s new SRV-F Mk3 acting as the focal point. Renowned in the field for its innovative design, the SRV-F Mk3 is a creation of SMP’s team, which comprises renowned submarine rescue experts. The key strength of the SRV-F Mk3 lies in the device’s hybrid structure, with it being equipped for airborne and sea deployment. This quality ensures a versatile response to various emergencies, allowing operations to cover expansive areas and further reducing crucial rescue time.
The unique method of airborne deployment allows the rescue submersible to be transported to a distressed submarine without requiring retrieval onto the deck, saving precious time and escalating the chances of successful rescue missions. This innovative feature supports stranded crews under dire circumstances while simultaneously bypassing challenges associated with rescue systems that are solely dependent on flyaway or mothership operations.
Shattering Records With The SRV-F Mk3
The SRV-F Mk3, capable of diving up to 500 meters and transporting up to 50 individuals per rescue, truly stands unparalleled. The device supports a “One Out, All Out” strategy that enables the swift rescue of an entire crew in a single mission. This approach contrasts starkly with other rescue systems, which necessitate repeated trips to distressed submarines.
Apart from the SRV-F Mk3, the new mothership will house a plethora of support equipment, starting from a robust handling system to an advanced pressure transfer system. These facilities, combined with a dedicated decompression chamber, will ensure immediate medical attention for rescued personnel.
Spotlight On Stellar Management
Commenting on the industry’s evolution, Managing Director at SMP, Ben Sharples, emphasized that countries need not focus on complex, large-scale nuclear systems just because they operate conventional submarines. He highlighted the challenges associated with large-scale operations, especially the consumption of precious time during emergencies.
Marking a significant leap in Indonesia’s indigenous defense sector, Major General Mohammad Fadjar, MPICT, Indonesian Ministry of Defence, echoed Sharples’ sentiments. He stressed the importance of acquiring local defense manufacturing capabilities through the introduction of new skills, knowledge, and technologies.
This project, coming on the heels of a change in SMP’s ownership, further enhances its transformation. While the former owner, Phil Connolly, retains his position as Chairman, the new instead features elite submarine rescue experts and subsea specialists. Armed with unparalleled knowledge and expertise, this team remains a potent force, revolutionizing the future of submarine operations.
