Worlds first for Russia and NATO

03.06.2008
The Russian AS34 – Priz Class Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Submarine Rescue System has been taking part in the NATO Exercise Bold Monarch 08, alongside NATO and US rescue systems.

During the exercise submarines from Norway, The Netherlands and Poland will be bottomed in a simulated sinking and rescue systems then ‘mate’ with the submarine to rescue the survivors.

During the exercise the AS34 has successfully completed a World’s first ‘mating’ with a NATO submarine. The rescue system has performed very well and is a true success story for Russian and NATO cooperation in submarine rescue capability.

Lt Cdr Sue Lloyd the NATO Spokesman said: "Exercise Bold Monarch 08 has provided an excellent opportunity to show how NATO can co-operate successfully with Russian designed submarine rescue systems. This Exercise has been a great success and the World’s first ‘mating’ of the AS34 with a NATO submarine has significantly enhanced the ability of Russia and NATO to provide worldwide submarine rescue facilities"

The AS34 Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) is operated by the Russian Navy and used to rescue the surviving crew in the extremely unlikely event of a submarine sinking during an emergency at sea. The ability for the AS34 to fully integrate with NATO submarines is a world first and greatly enhances the system’s global submarine rescue capability.

Bold Monarch PAO, bmh08pao@googlemail.com