Visakhapatnam, July 18, 2025 (TND): In a significant stride towards maritime self reliance, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar, its first indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), in a formal ceremony at the Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam today. The commissioning marks a crucial milestone in India’s defence modernization efforts and underscores the nation’s capacity to build sophisticated naval platforms indigenously.
INS Nistar has been designed to perform deep sea diving operations, submarine rescue missions, and complex underwater tasks, making it a vital addition to India’s blue water naval capabilities.
What Is INS Nistar?
INS Nistar is a state of the art Diving Support Vessel (DSV) designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in collaboration with the Indian Navy. The vessel is capable of supporting deep sea diving, salvage operations, and rescue of distressed submarines, especially in emergency scenarios.
The vessel derives its name from the previous INS Nistar, which served during the Indo-Pak war of 1971, playing a pivotal role in covert naval operations.
With a displacement of over 9,000 tons, INS Nistar is equipped with advanced diving bells, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), deep submergence rescue vessels (DSRV), and recompression chambers. The ship is designed to operate in extreme underwater conditions, offering a lifeline for submariners in distress.
Why INS Nistar Is a Game Changer
The commissioning of INS Nistar is not just about adding another vessel to the fleet it marks a strategic capability upgrade. India, which previously relied on foreign DSVs or limited support infrastructure, now boasts a completely indigenous solution to complex underwater challenges.
The capabilities of INS Nistar include:
- Rescue of disabled submarines up to depths of 650 meters using the DSRV system.
- Advanced saturation diving systems enabling divers to operate in deep sea environments for extended periods.
- A dynamic positioning system, allowing precise station keeping during underwater operations.
- Modular medical facilities, including hyperbaric treatment chambers for decompression.
Indigenous Excellence and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’
This represents the true spirit of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ initiative in defence manufacturing. The ship is built using over 80% indigenous content, including onboard systems, navigation tools, communication arrays, and propulsion systems.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, said:
“INS Nistar is a symbol of our maritime self reliance. It reflects the unwavering resolve of the Indian Navy to build indigenous platforms of global standards. The ship will be a cornerstone in our underwater rescue capabilities.”
The construction of INS Nistar also provided a massive boost to local shipbuilding industries, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and strengthening India’s defence industrial base.
Strategic Importance in the Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is home to a growing number of naval assets, including nuclear powered and conventional submarines. In this environment, a dedicated Diving Support Vessel like INS Nistar becomes critical.
The vessel enhances the Navy’s ability to respond swiftly to underwater emergencies, conduct complex salvage operations, and support joint exercises with friendly navies.
Additionally, its capabilities align with India’s commitment to being a net security provider in the region, especially for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
INS Nistar vs Global Counterparts
INS Nistar compares favorably with similar ships operated by top global navies like the US Navy’s USS Frank Cable, UK’s RFA Diligence, and Russia’s Igor Belousov. However, the Indian Navy’s new vessel offers the distinct advantage of being tailored to Indian requirements and maritime geography.
The ship’s modular design and future ready architecture also allow for integration of next generation rescue technologies and AI assisted remote operations, putting India in an elite category of navies with such niche capabilities.
Conclusion
The commissioning of INS Nistar is a proud moment for India and a giant leap for the Indian Navy. With its unique blend of technology, indigenous development, and strategic utility, INS Nistar is set to play a pivotal role in India’s maritime doctrine over the next several decades.
In a world where underwater threats and deep sea operations are becoming more complex, INS Nistar stands as a testament to India’s growing maritime ambition and capability.
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