VISAKHAPATNAM, India — The Indian Navy is set to commission its first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on July 18, in a ceremony attended by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, Nistar will be formally inducted into service under the Eastern Naval Command, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The vessel will play a critical role in deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations.
The project underscores the government’s emphasis on Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), featuring more than 80 percent indigenous content and participation from over 120 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Officials described Nistar as a “state-of-the-art” vessel that reflects the Navy’s vision of designing and building complex platforms within the country.
The new vessel revives the legacy of the ex-Nistar, a Soviet-origin submarine rescue vessel acquired in 1969 and commissioned in 1971. The original Nistar served the Indian Navy for two decades, making significant contributions to submarine rescue and diving operations. The new ship carries forward its motto, Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam—translated as “Deliverance with Precision and Bravery.”
Measuring approximately 120 meters in length and displacing over 10,000 tons, the vessel is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning System that allows it to maintain exact positioning in challenging sea conditions. Onboard features include an expansive diving complex with Air and Saturation Diving Systems, underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and side-scan sonar, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities.
As the designated “mother ship” for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), Nistar will provide a significant boost to the Navy’s submarine rescue preparedness. The vessel is also equipped with advanced medical facilities, including an operating theater, an intensive care unit, an eight-bed hospital, and hyperbaric treatment units.
With an endurance of over 60 days at sea, helicopter operations capability, and a 15-ton subsea crane, Nistar is poised to become a highly versatile asset in India’s maritime arsenal.
Navy officials say the commissioning of Nistar represents not only a leap in operational readiness in the underwater domain but also a strengthening of India’s strategic maritime posture in the Indian Ocean Region.
