Indian Navy Commissions Indigenous DSV Nistar
The Indian Navy commissioned its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) named Nistar on 18 July 2025. The event took place at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in attendance. This ship marks milestone in India’s defence self-reliance and enhances the Navy’s deep-sea diving and submarine rescue capabilities.
Design and Construction
Nistar was designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam. Over 120 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the project, achieving more than 80% indigenous content. The vessel is approximately 120 metres long and displaces over 10,000 tonnes. It features a Dynamic Positioning System that allows it to maintain precise positioning at sea.
Operational Capabilities
The ship supports deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations. It carries advanced equipment such as Air and Saturation Diving Systems, underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and Side Scan SONAR. These tools greatly expand its operational range. Nistar also serves as the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), enhancing submarine rescue readiness.
Medical and Support Facilities
Nistar is equipped with a fully functional Operation Theatre, an Intensive Care Unit, an eight-bedded hospital, and hyperbaric medical facilities. These are vital for treating divers and crew during rescue missions. The ship can stay at sea for over 60 days and supports helicopter operations. A 15-ton subsea crane adds to its versatility.
Strategic Importance
The vessel will join the Eastern Naval Command and boost India’s underwater domain capabilities. Its induction strengthens India’s strategic maritime posture in the Indian Ocean Region. The ship’s name, Nistar, means ‘rescue’ in Sanskrit. Its crest features an anchor symbolising reliability and a dolphin representing a seafarer’s friend.
Legacy and Future Prospects
The current Nistar continues the legacy of the earlier INS Nistar, a submarine rescue vessel acquired from the USSR in 1969 and decommissioned in 1989. The new ship embodies the motto ‘Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam’ meaning ‘Deliverance with Precision and Bravery’. It is the first of a two-ship class, with the second named Nipun.
Role in Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy conducts extensive diving operations across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for submarine rescue, underwater inspection, salvage, and recovery missions. Nistar’s commissioning enhances the Navy’s ability to undertake these tasks efficiently. It also supports sustained patrolling and search and rescue missions in high seas.
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