INS Nistar Diving Support Vessel
The Indian Navy recently commissioned INS Nistar at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This vessel is the first of two indigenously designed diving support vessels (DSVs) built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. The commissioning marks step in strengthening India’s underwater operational capabilities and maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Background and Legacy
INS Nistar revives a legacy from a submarine rescue vessel acquired from the Soviet Union in 1969. The original served until 1989 and was central to India’s diving and submarine rescue operations. The new INS Nistar builds on this heritage with over 80% indigenous content, involving around 120 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It is the first fully indigenously designed and constructed DSV in India.
Design and Capabilities
The vessel displaces approximately 10,500 tonnes and measures nearly 120 metres in length and over 20 metres in beam. It can stay at sea for more than 60 days. INS Nistar features advanced diving systems including air and saturation diving complexes, underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and side scan SONARs. It serves as a mothership for a deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) acquired from the UK. The ship also supports helicopter operations, has a 15-tonne subsea crane, and includes medical facilities such as an operating theatre, intensive care unit, and an eight-bed hospital with hyperbaric chambers.
Strategic Importance
INS Nistar enhances India’s submarine rescue and deep-sea operational readiness. With an expanding submarine fleet, the Navy requires platforms capable of rapid and effective rescue in deep waters. The vessel’s dynamic positioning system and high transit speed allow autonomous operation and swift emergency response. This capability reduces reliance on leased commercial platforms and improves round-the-clock rescue readiness.
Operational Deployment and Regional Role
Based in Visakhapatnam, INS Nistar will cover the Eastern Seaboard, while its sister ship INS Nipun, based in Mumbai, will operate on the Western Seaboard. Together, they provide dual-coast coverage for submarine rescue and diving support. The vessels strengthen India’s position as a net security provider in the IOR and enable participation in maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
International Collaboration and Maritime Diplomacy
India’s acquisition and operationalisation of DSRVs place it among a select group of nations with advanced submarine rescue capabilities. Through bilateral agreements, India offers rescue support and expertise to partner navies worldwide. This enhances India’s maritime soft power and signals its commitment to collective security and global maritime safety.
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