INS Nistar

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

• INS Nistar, India’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.

• Builder:
  Constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., it is the first of two DSVs under construction.

• Key Capabilities:

  • Enables deep-sea saturation diving and submarine rescue — a highly advanced naval capability.

  • Equipped with:

    • Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)

    • Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Lifeboats (SPHL)

    • Diving Compression Chambers

  • Can operate up to 300 metres depth.

  • Serves as a “Mother Ship” to Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRVs).

• Strategic Significance:

  • Enhances the Navy’s ability as a “first responder” and regional security partner.

  • Strengthens submarine rescue and salvage operations for India and regional allies.

• Indigenisation Drive:

  • Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

  • All 57 warships currently under construction for the Navy are being built indigenously.