<p data-start="733" data-end="1064">In a landmark moment for India's maritime self-reliance, the Indian Navy today commissioned INS Nistar&mdash;its first fully indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV)&mdash;at Visakhapatnam. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), this advanced ship marks a decisive leap in India's deep-sea rescue and underwater warfare support capabilities.</p>
<p data-start="1066" data-end="1411">Named after the Sanskrit word <em data-start="1096" data-end="1104">Nistar</em>, meaning "rescue" or "liberation", the vessel is purpose-built to support critical submarine rescue missions, deep-sea diving operations, and naval special forces deployments. It is a shining example of India&rsquo;s <em data-start="1316" data-end="1336">Atmanirbhar Bharat</em> (self-reliant India) vision taking tangible shape in naval infrastructure.</p>
<h3 data-start="1413" data-end="1459"><strong data-start="1417" data-end="1459">The Heart of India's Undersea Lifeline</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1461" data-end="1862">Stretching 120 metres long and displacing 10,500 tonnes, INS Nistar is engineered to operate at depths of up to 300 metres. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art saturation diving complex and acts as a mother ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). This makes it capable of supporting manned and unmanned missions in high-risk underwater environments.</p>
<p data-start="1864" data-end="2105">The vessel's large-scale technical sophistication includes 4,500 tonnes of steel, 450 km of cabling, and a multi-deck layout integrating high-pressure diving chambers, command and control modules, and advanced sonar and communication suites.</p>
<h3 data-start="2107" data-end="2149"><strong data-start="2111" data-end="2149">Built in India, For India's Oceans</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2151" data-end="2451">Over 80% of INS Nistar&rsquo;s components have been sourced domestically, with inputs from more than 120 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. This level of localisation is a first for a vessel of its class and complexity, setting new benchmarks for indigenous defence production.</p>
<p data-start="2453" data-end="2656">"This ship is not just a platform, but a message," said senior naval officials. "It tells the world that India has the capability to build complex, strategic warfighting support vessels on its own soil."</p>
<h3 data-start="2658" data-end="2688"><strong data-start="2662" data-end="2688">Why INS Nistar Matters</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2690" data-end="3009">Submarine emergencies are rare but catastrophic. INS Nistar brings the Indian Navy up to global standards in submarine crew rescue operations&mdash;capable of rapidly deploying DSRVs to locate and extract trapped submariners, or deploying ROVs for situation assessments, mine countermeasures, or search-and-recovery missions.</p>
<p data-start="3011" data-end="3180">Strategically located on the eastern seaboard, the ship will ensure India&rsquo;s quick response capability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a crucial theatre of geopolitics.</p>
<h3 data-start="3182" data-end="3232"><strong data-start="3186" data-end="3232">A Future-Ready Symbol of Maritime Strength</strong></h3>
<p data-start="3234" data-end="3529">INS Nistar is more than a technological achievement; it's a vision of future-readiness in India&rsquo;s maritime strategy. It integrates cutting-edge systems and indigenous design with operational functionality&mdash;underscoring the growing prowess of Indian shipbuilding under the Make in India framework.</p>
<p data-start="3531" data-end="3767">With its induction, India has not only filled a crucial capability gap in submarine rescue but has also demonstrated that it can build world-class naval platforms at home, setting the tone for more indigenous vessels in the years ahead.</p>

INS Nistar to be commissioned — have a glimpse of India’s first indigenous diving support vessel

Satyamev Jayate at Sea: INS Nistar joins Indian Navy fleet in a major indigenisation win

INS Nistar Boosts India's Deep-Sea Rescue Power

Satyamev Jayate at Sea: INS Nistar joins Indian Navy fleet in a major indigenisation win

July 18, 2025 | 16:38 IST