The Indian Navy made a substantial advancement in its indigenous shipbuilding program with the delivery of ‘Nipun’, the second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026. The introduction of this specialized vessel significantly boosts the Navy’s capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater rescue, and submarine support, aligning with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India.
Constructed by HSL, ‘Nipun’ adheres to the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), indicative of India’s escalating expertise in designing and producing sophisticated naval support vessels. Boasting nearly 75 percent indigenous content, this vessel marks a pivotal achievement in the nation’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense manufacturing and advanced naval shipbuilding.
The name ‘Nipun’, from Sanskrit, translates to “one who is adept, capable, and well-versed in a particular discipline.” True to its name, ‘Nipun’ is engineered for intricate deep-sea diving operations, underwater salvage missions, and maritime rescue operations that demand specialized equipment and highly skilled personnel.
Diving Support Vessels are indispensable in modern naval operations, facilitating underwater maintenance, inspection, repair, salvage, and rescue missions. These vessels support divers at significant depths and are crucial for recovering submerged equipment and conducting underwater engineering tasks, as well as assisting vessels during maritime incidents.
One standout feature of ‘Nipun’ is its cutting-edge diving equipment, enabling Deep Sea Saturation Diving—an advanced form of diving that allows professionals to operate under pressure for extended periods at considerable depths, thus greatly enhancing the operational efficiency of prolonged underwater missions. Additionally, it is equipped with a dedicated side diving stage to ensure the safe and effective deployment of divers.
To bolster its operational capacity, ‘Nipun’ incorporates Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for advanced underwater surveillance, diver monitoring, and salvage assistance. These unmanned systems facilitate inspections of submerged structures, assessment of underwater conditions, and support for complex recovery missions, especially in challenging environments.
Perhaps most notably, ‘Nipun’ serves as the Mother Ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV). In the event of a submarine emergency, this vessel will act as the launch and support platform for the DSRV, which is equipped to rescue personnel trapped within disabled submarines resting on the seabed, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue preparedness and ensuring prompt responses during underwater emergencies.
The addition of ‘Nipun’ notably augments the Indian Navy’s capability to execute specialized operations in the specialized fields of deep-sea diving and underwater rescue. These capabilities are increasingly vital as the Navy expands its underwater fleet and operational reach across the Indian Ocean Region. Dedicated Diving Support Vessels are also essential for supporting submarine operations, maintaining underwater infrastructure, fulfilling hydrographic tasks, and engaging in disaster response missions.
This delivery further highlights the ongoing development of India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding ecosystem. HSL has progressively enhanced its prowess in designing and constructing specialized naval platforms, aligning with the country’s long-term goal of achieving self-reliance in defense production. The successful crafting of ‘Nipun’ underscores the growing maturity of India’s defense industrial base and its commitment to delivering technologically advanced support vessels for the armed forces.
The Indian Navy has consistently emphasized indigenous procurement as a component of its modernization strategy. Currently, most ships under construction for the Navy are being built in Indian shipyards, showcasing a significant transformation of India’s maritime industrial capabilities over the past decade.
With ‘Nipun’ now commissioned, the Indian Navy has taken a critical stride toward enhancing its underwater operational capabilities, while simultaneously bolstering indigenous defense manufacturing. Armed with advanced diving systems, remotely operated vehicles, and submarine rescue facilities, this vessel stands ready to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of submariners, supporting deep-sea operations, and empowering the Navy to undertake intricate underwater missions essential for national maritime security.
