
All about INS Nipun and how it will help save lives in deep sea
Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Nistar is the first of two diving support vessels (DSVs) that were ordered by the Navy in 2018. Its sister ship, Nipun, was launched in 2022, and is expected to be commissioned in the near future.
Meant to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations, these DSVs will enhance India's operational preparedness in the underwater domain and reinforce the country's strategic maritime posture across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Navy said.
The original INS Nistar was a submarine rescue vessel acquired by the Indian Navy from the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1969, and commissioned in 1971. It remained in service till 1989, during which time it was the centrepiece of the Navy's diving and submarine rescue operations.
The new Nistar will carry forward this legacy. But unlike its predecessor, it comprises more than 80% indigenous content, with about 120 MSMEs having participated in its construction. This makes Nistar the first indigenously designed and constructed diving support and submarine rescue vessel in India.
'Nistar is testimony to the growing capability and maturity of our maritime industrial base, and another shining example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,' Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said during the commissioning ceremony.
With a displacement of around 10,500 tonnes, length of almost 120 metres, beam of more than 20 metres, and an endurance of more than 60 days at sea, the new Nistar is also larger and more capable than its 800-tonne predecessor.
According to the Navy, Nistar's specialised onboard diving complex has both air and saturation diving systems, which are complemented by underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and side scan SONARs. Moreover, Nistar will be the mothership of an advanced deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). The Indian Navy acquired two DSRVs from the UK's M/s James Fisher & Sons in 2018 and 2019 — one each for Nistar and Nipun.
Nistar can also carry a 15-tonne subsea crane, and support helicopter operations. Aboard Nistar is an operation theatre, an intensive care unit, and an eight-bedded hospital with hyperbaric medical facilities, all critical towards meeting the vessel's operational roles, the Navy said.
The induction of Nistar into the Navy after the successful integration of the two DSRVs is a major milestone for India's deep-sea capabilities.
With the Navy continuing to expand its submarine arm, it has to reckon with increased operational risks of operating in the deep sea. These risks demand a technologically capable platform for submarine rescue operations — the primary mandate of the Nistar-class vessels.
Officials told The Indian Express that Nistar is built to be both a diving support and a submarine rescue vessel, making it a strategic platform which strengthens India's position as a net maritime security provider within the IOR and beyond.
With the induction of the two DSRVs in 2018-19, India entered a groupd of only 12 nations with these dedicated capabilities, and one of the very few possessing DSRVs that can be requisitioned by another country and airlifted for rapid international deployment during emergencies.
Until now, however, the Navy relied on commercially leased platforms for the deployment of DSRVs, limiting its instant-deployment capabilities and round-the-clock rescue readiness. Nistar (and Nipun) will change this.
The vessel's dynamic positioning and diving support features mean that the vessel can operate autonomously in the high seas. Officials said that its high transit speed ensures rapid deployment during emergencies, drastically reducing response time in scenarios where every minute counts.
Based in Visakhapatnam, Nistar will serve as the DSRV mothership in the Eastern Seaboard, and Nipun, based in Mumbai, will serve in the Western Seaboard, completing the Navy's dual-coast operational posture.
This arrangement guarantees simultaneous, high-readiness submarine rescue coverage across both maritime frontiers. This strategic capability would be particularly crucial in various maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations carried out by the Navy.
Through bilateral agreements and Memorandums of Understanding with other navies, India has committed to sharing its submarine rescue expertise, and providing actual rescue support during emergencies world wide.
'It positions India as a credible first responder in undersea contingencies and amplifies its soft power through the projection of maritime goodwill,' an official told The Indian Express. The officer added that the development sends a signal that India's growing naval capabilities are aligned with the shared security interests of its partners and neighbours.
'In a world where underwater operations are becoming more complex and risks more unpredictable, INS Nistar ensures that India not only safeguards its own interests but is also ready and equipped to serve the greater good of global maritime safety,' the official said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Navy, officials honour Kargil heroes in Visakhapatnam
1 2 3 4 Visakhapatnam: On the solemn occasion of 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26), which marks the success of Indian armed forces in ousting Pakistan intruders from the mountains in Kargil, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy conducted a Wreath Laying ceremony on Saturday at Victory at Sea War Memorial, RK Beach, in Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, director general Naval Project Vizag, senior dignitaries from sister services and civil administration and veterans laid wreaths in honour of Operation Vijay heroes. Wreaths were also placed by Vizag district collector M N Harendhira Prasad, Vizag city police chief Dr Shanka Brata Bagchi and a few other officers. In addition, Naval Station Bheemunipatnam commemorated Kargil Vijay Diwas with a blood donation camp at the station on Saturday in partnership with NTR Trust, Visakhapatnam. The event saw blood donation by more than 100 personnel from the Station. Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated on July 26 every year as a saga of gallantry and valour of a battle fought in the most inhospitable terrain in the World in the area of Kargil-Drass Sector of Ladakh. On this day the Indian Armed Force braving most difficult terrain, battling extreme weather conditions fought valiantly on the steep slopes of icy peaks with grit and valour thus defeating the evil designs of the enemy and throwing the intruders out from Indian Soil. The day commemorates our victory in Operation Vijay, which was a significant military victory over Pakistan during the Kargil War . Visakhapatnam: On the solemn occasion of 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26), which marks the success of Indian armed forces in ousting Pakistan intruders from the mountains in Kargil, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy conducted a Wreath Laying ceremony on Saturday at Victory at Sea War Memorial, RK Beach, in Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, director general Naval Project Vizag, senior dignitaries from sister services and civil administration and veterans laid wreaths in honour of Operation Vijay heroes. Wreaths were also placed by Vizag district collector M N Harendhira Prasad, Vizag city police chief Dr Shanka Brata Bagchi and a few other officers. In addition, Naval Station Bheemunipatnam commemorated Kargil Vijay Diwas with a blood donation camp at the station on Saturday in partnership with NTR Trust, Visakhapatnam. The event saw blood donation by more than 100 personnel from the Station. Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated on July 26 every year as a saga of gallantry and valour of a battle fought in the most inhospitable terrain in the World in the area of Kargil-Drass Sector of Ladakh. On this day the Indian Armed Force braving most difficult terrain, battling extreme weather conditions fought valiantly on the steep slopes of icy peaks with grit and valour thus defeating the evil designs of the enemy and throwing the intruders out from Indian Soil. The day commemorates our victory in Operation Vijay, which was a significant military victory over Pakistan during the Kargil War.


Hans India
8 hours ago
- Hans India
School Observes 26th July with Solemn Tribute to Kargil Martyrs
On 26th July, our school solemnly observed Kargil Vijay Diwas, paying heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces. The day commemorated India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War, observed with dignity and patriotic spirit. A striking 8.5-foot replica of the Martyr's Memorial, bearing the names of 533 Kargil martyrs, stood as the centerpiece of the tribute. This powerful visual served as an emotional reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by our soldiers. The ceremony began with a wreath-laying led by our Honourable Director, Ms. Prarthana Manikonda, followed by floral tributes from students and staff. Students from eight neighbouring schools also joined in solidarity, enriching the spirit of unity and patriotism. Later in her stirring address, Director Ma'am inspired students with words that echoed deep patriotism and gratitude "Each name etched on this memorial is not just a martyr -- it is a heartbeat that once throbbed with courage for this nation. We owe them not just our respect, but our very freedom." Poster-making activities by students of Grades 3, 7, and 8 showcased the ranks and insignia of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Students from Grades 7 and 8 delivered moving speeches expressing deep gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of our armed forces. The event was graced by Correspondent Mr. Katta Prabhakar, Dean Ms. Ramanjula, and Principals Ms. Rekha Rao and Ms. Fatima Kazim, whose presence added great significance to the occasion. Special appreciation was extended to Ms. Yogitha Bandaru for her exceptional coordination, and to Ms. Sabera and Mr. Kalyan from the Art Department for their creativity and dedication in designing the memorial. Kargil Vijay Diwas, was not just a tribute—it was a moment of reflection and inspiration, reminding students of the enduring values of bravery, sacrifice, and national pride that they will carry forward always.


India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Message to Pak? Navy Day to be celebrated in Arabian Sea this year
The Indian Navy has announced that Navy Day 2025 will be celebrated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with festivities centred on the Arabian Sea, a strategic maritime zone critical to India's security. The choice of venue underscores the Navy's operational focus in the region and aligns with post-Operation Sindoor initiatives, which showcased its readiness to launch swift and effective operations in the Arabian location was finalised after considerable deliberation, in line with the government's initiative to celebrate significant national events across different regions, according to Defence Ministry sources. Last year, the celebrations were held off the coast of Puri in the Bay of Navy was fully prepared and capable of striking select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, when India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Navy maintained continuous surveillance and maritime dominance, and its forward deployment compelled Pakistan to remain in a defensive posture, mostly confined to harbours or areas close to the coast. Following Operation Sindoor, the Navy has been focused on strengthening its fleet with more powerful warships and submarines, bolstered by a planned investment of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 Day is observed annually on December 4 to commemorate 'Operation Trident', a key naval offensive during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. This operation showcased the Navy's capabilities as Indian naval missile boats inflicted substantial damage on Karachi harbour, establishing a pivotal moment in the conflict and reinforcing the Navy's role in national Navy Day celebrations encompass a series of engaging activities to demonstrate the Navy's capabilities. These include operational demonstrations with naval ships, submarines, and aircraft, offering thrilling displays of their advanced capabilities. Fly-pasts by naval aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters, further highlight the Navy's precision and prowess. Such events not only entertain but also educate the public on the Navy's vital role in national event will also feature ship open days, providing the public, especially schoolchildren, with the opportunity to explore naval warships and gain insight into the life of naval personnel.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Thiruvananthapuram