INS Nistar commissioned in Visakhapatnam, boosting India’s underwater rescue capabilities

New Delhi, Jul 18: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar, the country’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. INS Nistar is expected to play a vital role in India’s maritime security architecture, reinforcing the Navy’s status as a ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the region.

Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, INS Nistar marks a major milestone in India’s maritime capability and is the first of two such vessels planned for induction.

Designed for complex deep-sea saturation diving and submarine rescue operations, INS Nistar adds a critical capability possessed by only a handful of navies worldwide. It is equipped with advanced diving systems, including Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Diving Compression Chambers, and a Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Life Boat. The vessel can support underwater salvage and rescue missions at depths of up to 300 metres, and will serve as a ‘mother ship’ for the Navy’s deep submergence rescue vehicles.

The 118-metre-long vessel, with a displacement of over 10,000 tons, reflects the growing self-reliance of India’s naval shipbuilding industry. More than 80% of its components are indigenous, with contributions from over 120 MSMEs. With the induction of INS Nistar, the Indian Navy enhances its capability to conduct submarine rescue operations not only for its own fleet but also for friendly regional navies.