Indian Navy to Commission Indigenous Diving Vessel ‘Nistar’

On 18 July 2025, the Indian Navy will commission the first of its kind Diving Support Vessel (DSV) also named Nistar at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. The vessel was formally inducted into the Navy with this momentous occasion graced by the Honorable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. The vessel is an indigenous design and build of Hindustan Shipyard limited Visakhapatnam. Mainly the ship will be used in deep-sea diving and submarine rescue missions under the eastern naval command.

Context

• Nistar, the first indigenous Diving Support Vessel, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 July 2025. 

• The ship, which was designed and built in India, will help the Navy increase its capacity in deep-sea diving and submarine rescue missions and this will add on to Indian strategic maritime positioning.

Key Points

Indigenous Construction:

• Designed and built HSL, Visakhapatnam with indigenous content of more than 80 per cent, the vessel is designed to enhance and increase DP usages.

• The construction involved collaboration with 120 MSMEs, which reflects India self-reliance in generating defense products and the Aatmanirbharta.

Ship Specifications:

• Length: 120 meters

• Displacement: over 10,000 tons

• They are equipped with a Dynamic Positioning System, which makes it capable of staying at one place with extreme accuracy.

• Has an on board diving complex with its Air and Saturation Diving Systems, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and Side Scan SONAR.

Operational Capabilities:

• Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DRV) Mother Ship the acquisition of which has greatly increased the preparedness of India and its submarine rescue capabilities.

• Equipped with essential medical facilities such as an Operation Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Eight Bedded Hospital, Hyperbaric Medical Facilities among others.

• Staying Power: Ability to remain off-shore taking more than 60 days with the capability of handling helicopters.

• It has a 15-ton subsea crane which gives diversity to the functions of the vessel.

Legacy of former Nistar:

• A submarine rescue vessel of USSR the ex-Nistar was in service during 1971-1991, as well as the important work of diving and submarine rescue.

• Its legacy is kept by the new Nistar with its motto Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam (Deliverance with Precision and Bravery).

Strategic Significance:

• The delivery of Nistar will increase India readiness in the underwater arena, which strengthens its tactical position in the Indian Ocean Region.

• The vessel will be posted under the Eastern Naval Command, to enhance the Indian prowess in maritime security and rescue services.

Conclusion

The launching of Nistar can be described as a significant step towards enhancing India's defense system, especially submarine rescue and deep sea diving missions. The blend of state-of-the-art features coupled with its indigenously constructed design will be central in enhancing the combating capability of the Indian Navy and their strategic maritime activity in the Indian Ocean Region.