Context:
In a significant boost to India’s maritime operational capabilities and self-reliance in defense manufacturing, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar, the country’s first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), on July 19, 2025, in Visakhapatnam.
Key Highlights:
- First of Its Kind:
- INS Nistar is the first of two DSVs being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. (HSL), under India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
- Dimensions and Design:
- The vessel is 118 metres long and equipped to carry out saturation diving and deep-sea rescue operations, capabilities available only to a select few navies globally.
- Strategic Role:
- Supports submarine rescue missions for Indian and partner navies.
- Enhances India’s position as the “first responder” and “preferred security partner” in the Indian Ocean Region.
Technological and Operational Capabilities
- Deep-Sea Operations:
- Equipped to support diving operations up to 300 metres depth.
- Serves as a Mother Ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRVs) for distressed submarines.
- Advanced Equipment:
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
- Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Life Boat
- Diving Compression Chambers
- State-of-the-art saturation diving systems
