INS Nistar Indian Navy debut took place on July 8, 2025, when Hindustan Shipyard Limited officially delivered India’s first indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, to the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam. This significant event reinforces India’s maritime autonomy and Make‑in‑India ambitions.
What INS Nistar Indian Navy debut Involves
INS Nistar, also known as DP‑II DSV, was handed over in a formal ceremony attended by HSL CMD Cmde Hemant Khatri and Cdr Amit Subhro Banerji, witnessed by Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth and other senior officials.
This vessel marks HSL’s leap from smaller auxiliary crafts to complex strategic platforms—following INS Dhruv in 2020.
Design & Capabilities of INS Nistar Indian Navy debut
- Indigenously designed and built under Indian Register of Shipping norms.
- Length & displacement: approximately 118 m long, ~9,350 t tonnage.
- Dynamic Positioning (DP-II) capabilities ensure precision during deep‑sea missions.
- Deep‑sea diving: Supports saturation diving up to 300 m, side‑diving up to 75 m.
- Advanced rescue tools: Moon‑pool launched dive bell, decompression chambers, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) support up to 1,000 m.
Operational Roles in INS Nistar Indian Navy debut
- Submarine rescue: Acts as mother ship for DSRV, crucial for submarine emergencies.
- Search & Rescue (SAR): Engages in underwater recovery, maintenance, and salvage missions .
- Support operations: Ideal for deep‑sea patrolling, underwater inspections, evacuation drills .
Why INS Nistar Indian Navy debut is Strategic
Boost to Indigenous Expertise
With nearly 75% indigenous content, INS Nistar reflects a strong push for self‑reliance.
Evolution of HSL
HSL’s capacity has advanced from repair/tug vessels to building complex platforms, demonstrating enhanced engineering capability.
Enhancing Naval Readiness
The vessel significantly boosts India’s ability to conduct submarine rescue and deep‑sea operations in the Indo‑Pacific region.
Alignment with Make‑in‑India & Aatmanirbhar Bharat
INS Nistar’s design and build support national goals of self‑reliance, with HSL leveraging local industries and MSMEs.
It showcases strategic investment in domestic defence infrastructure.
4 Key Impacts of INS Nistar Indian Navy debut
- Enhanced rescue versatility for submarine safety and deep‑sea operations.
- Tech sovereignty, reducing dependence on foreign vessels.
- Economic multiplier, supporting domestic shipbuilding and MSMEs.
- Geostrategic edge, expanding naval reach in the Indo‑Pacific.
Looking Ahead After INS Nistar Indian Navy debut
- Commissioning phase: Formal induction into service with Eastern Fleet expected later this year.
- Operational trials: Extensive sea trials already passed May 27 maiden test.
- Second vessel: Sister ship INS Nipun to follow, rounding out Diving Support capabilities.
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