Indian Navy Inducts INS Nistar, Advancing Indigenous Deep-Sea Rescue Capabilities

The Indian Navy has taken a significant leap towards naval self-reliance with the induction of INS Nistar, the nation's first domestically constructed Diving Support Vessel. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the vessel was formally handed over on July 8, 2025, in Visakhapatnam, marking a substantial contribution to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative within the defense sector.

INS Nistar, measuring 118 meters and weighing nearly 10,000 tons, is outfitted with state-of-the-art systems designed for deep-sea saturation diving and rescue missions. Its ability to operate at depths of up to 300 meters significantly enhances the Navy’s capabilities in executing complex underwater operations. The ship is also equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that facilitate diver monitoring and salvage tasks at depths reaching 1,000 meters.

One of the vessel’s primary functions is serving as a "Mother Ship" for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs), which are crucial for rescuing personnel from stricken submarines in emergencies. This capability gained prominence following incidents like the 2017 ARA San Juan tragedy in Argentina. With the addition of INS Nistar, the Indian Navy is now better prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently to such emergencies.

The development of INS Nistar began with a ₹2,019 crore contract awarded to HSL in September 2018. Despite experiencing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vessel was launched in September 2022 and successfully completed its final sea trials between March and April 2025. These trials confirmed the efficacy of its advanced diving and rescue systems.

With approximately 75% of its content manufactured domestically, INS Nistar exemplifies India's broader strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign military imports. This project also includes a second vessel, INS Nipun, which will further augment the Navy’s underwater capabilities.

The commissioning of INS Nistar is considered a pivotal milestone in bolstering India's maritime safety and rescue operations, especially in the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region. Senior Navy and HSL officials attending the handover ceremony hailed the achievement as a landmark in the country's indigenous shipbuilding progress.