Group : mini-Submarines
Status : Active
Also Known As : NATO Submarine Rescue System
Origin : France, Norway, United Kingdom
Contractor : Rolls-Royce
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2006
Total Production : 1

The NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) is a cooperative project between France, Norway and UK aimed at fielding a new rescue system to help crews to safely escape from sunken submarines anywhere in the world. The three nations placed a development contract worth £47 million ($84 million) with Rolls Royce in June 2004. The NSRS solution consists of a 10 meters long, 27 tons submarine operated by a crew of three, which can dive down to a stricken boat and dock with it. Then the NSRS can bring the crew up to the surface in batches. The system will be compatible with almost all NATO and non-NATO submarines.

As well as the rescue submarine, the contract also provides funds for development of an unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) to locate the sunken submarine, decompression chambers, medical facilities and other support equipment. The first ten years of operation costs of NSRS are also included in the bill. The NSRS will be based in HM Naval on the Clyde, UK, where it will be able to respond to any worldwide request within 72 hours. The system will achieve initial operational capability in 2006 replacing the current LR5 undersea rescue submarine.