INS Nistar Joins Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore, Showcasing India's Submarine Rescue and Deep-Sea Diving Expertise
India's domestically constructed Diving Support Vessel, INS Nistar, has made its way to Singapore to join Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR25), a highly regarded international submarine rescue drill. Commissioned on July 18, 2025, INS Nistar symbolizes India's advancing maritime prowess, self-sufficiency in shipbuilding, and dedication to ensuring the safety of submariners globally.
In an interview with ANI, Commanding Officer Commodore Amitsubhro Banerji elaborated on the vessel's dual functions, emphasizing its capabilities for deep-sea diving operations and its role as a mothership for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). He stated, "INS Nistar is designed to carry out deep-sea diving operations and act as a mothership for the DSRV to execute submarine rescue missions."
Constructed at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, INS Nistar is the inaugural vessel in its class of two diving support ships. It spans 120 meters in length, has a displacement of 10,000 tons, and reaches 134 meters when the DSRV is onboard. Equipped with Side Scan Sonar, work and observation-class ROVs, and cutting-edge deep-sea diving systems, the ship boasts over 80% indigenisation, aligning with India's Aatmanirbharta initiative.
Captain Vikas Gautam, in charge of the Submarine Rescue Unit East (SRU-E) within the Eastern Naval Command, expressed pride in participating in XPR25. He remarked, "This exercise is globally recognised as the most comprehensive collaboration dedicated to submarine rescue. Our participation reflects India’s enduring commitment to safeguard submariners, not just of our Navy but also from other navies worldwide."
Hosted by Singapore, Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 has attracted participation from over 40 countries, engaging either as active participants or observers. The exercise is divided into two phases:
| Phase | Date | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Harbour Phase | September 15–21 | Includes in-depth discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), medical symposiums, and cross-deck visits among participating navies. |
| Sea Phase | September 21–29 | Will see INS Nistar and SRU-E carrying out multiple intervention and rescue operations in the South China Sea, demonstrating operational readiness, coordination, and international collaboration in submarine rescue. |
INS Nistar's inaugural port visit to Changi, Singapore, and its involvement in XPR25 emphasize India's growing proficiency in submarine safety, advanced naval technology, and international maritime collaboration. The exercise offers the Indian Navy an opportunity to exhibit its capabilities and foster stronger relationships with navies worldwide, contributing to global maritime security.
