Visakhapatnam: INS Nistar, India’s first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned into the Indian Navy today at a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the vessel is capable of conducting deep sea saturation diving and submarine rescue operations, a strategic capability held by only a few navies globally.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, who presided over the event, described the commissioning as a milestone in India’s shipbuilding journey and a major boost for the Navy’s operational readiness. “The commissioning of INS Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the region,” he said, lauding the Navy and the indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem for their role in strengthening national defence.
He added that the induction of the vessel represents a “technological leap” for India, noting that the country remains resolute in its commitment to respond to any external threat. Currently, all 57 warships in the Indian Navy’s pipeline are being constructed indigenously, reflecting the growing self-reliance of the defence manufacturing sector under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, also present at the ceremony, described Nistar as “not just a technological asset, but a crucial operational enabler.” He said, “Nistar will provide critical submarine rescue support to the Indian Navy as well as our regional partners. This will enable India to emerge as a ‘Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner’ in this region. The commissioning of Nistar is testimony to the growing capability and maturity of our maritime industrial base, and another shining example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
The 118-metre-long ship, weighing over 10,000 tonnes, is equipped with specialised systems such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), a Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Life Boat, and Diving Compression Chambers. It can carry out diving and salvage operations at depths of up to 300 metres. It is also designed to function as the mother ship for deep submergence rescue vessels, enabling evacuation from submarines in distress.
INS Nistar was built with over 80% indigenous content, involving 120 MSMEs, and adds to India’s capabilities in the underwater domain. Its induction not only strengthens the Navy’s maritime operations but also reflects India's growing competence in building complex naval platforms that meet global standards.
The ceremony was attended by senior Navy personnel, civilian dignitaries, representatives from Hindustan Shipyard Limited, and the crew of the previous INS Nistar.
BI Bureau
