INS Nistar: India’s First Indigenous Diving Support Vessel Commissioned

Speedy Summary

• The Indian Navy has received its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on July 9, 2025.
• INS Nistar showcases nearly 75% indigenous content and is aligned with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and also the Make in India campaign.
• The warship adheres to classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
• It is indeed capable of Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations, a capability possessed by only select Navies globally.
• Key technical features:

– Length: 118 meters; Tonnage: ~10,000 tonnes.
– State-of-the-art equipment for Deep Sea Saturation Diving up to a depth of 300 meters and Side Diving Stage operations for depths up to 75 meters.
– Acts as a ‘Mother Ship’ for Deep Submergence Rescue vessel (DSRV) operations during submarine emergencies.
– Equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles capable of monitoring divers and conducting salvage operations at depths reaching up to 1000 meters.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The commissioning of INS Nistar marks an notable step forward in India’s defense capabilities, strengthening its capacity for underwater rescue missions. With advanced technological capabilities like saturation diving systems going down to considerable depths alongside remotely operated vehicles enabling salvage work at extreme distances, this vessel signals India’s growing self-reliance. Its use as a Mother Ship further elevates its strategic importance as it can assist submarines during emergencies-a critical capability given recent growth in underwater defense assets globally.

Moreover, indigenous components amounting to approximately three-fourths reflect progress under policies like Make in India. This vessel aligns closely with long-term goals aiming at enhancing domestic shipbuilding expertise while contributing toward achieving maritime security objectives. However, continued efforts need evaluation over how thes local innovations compare internationally across cost-effectiveness metrics and operational reliability benchmarks moving ahead.

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