In a significant advancement for India’s naval self-reliance, the Indian Navy has welcomed the induction of INS Nistar, the nation’s first indigenously constructed Diving Support Vessel. The official handover took place on July 8, 2025, at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam, underscoring a pivotal enhancement to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to bolster self-sufficiency in the defense sector.
INS Nistar is an impressive 118-meter-long vessel, with a displacement of nearly 10,000 tons. It is equipped with state-of-the-art systems designed for deep-sea saturation diving and rescue operations, enabling operations at depths of up to 300 meters. Moreover, the ship boasts modern Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that facilitate diver monitoring and salvage activities at extraordinary depths reaching 1,000 meters.
A crucial aspect of INS Nistar’s capabilities lies in its role as a “Mother Ship” for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs). This feature is vital for the effective rescue of personnel from distressed submarines during emergencies. The urgency for such capabilities has been highlighted by tragic incidents, such as the 2017 sinking of Argentina’s ARA San Juan, emphasizing the pressing need for robust maritime rescue solutions. With the introduction of INS Nistar, the Indian Navy enhances its preparedness to address such emergencies with agility and efficiency.
The construction of this vessel commenced under a ₹2,019 crore contract awarded to Hindustan Shipyard Limited in September 2018. Despite facing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, INS Nistar was launched in September 2022 and completed its final sea trials between March and April 2025, confirming the operational efficiency of its advanced diving and rescue systems.
Notably, INS Nistar incorporates around 75% indigenous content, reflecting India’s broader strategy to minimize dependency on foreign military imports. The initiative also includes the development of a second vessel, INS Nipun, which is anticipated to further reinforce the Navy’s underwater operational capabilities.
The delivery of INS Nistar marks a critical achievement in reinforcing India’s maritime safety and rescue framework, particularly within the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. Senior officials from the Indian Navy and Hindustan Shipyard Limited present at the handover ceremony expressed pride in this accomplishment, recognizing it as a landmark moment in India’s indigenous shipbuilding efforts.
