Indigenous breakthrough for maritime strength
INS Nistar Strengthens India’s Deep Sea Rescue Capabilities: On July 9, 2025, the Indian Navy inducted INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV). This vessel represents a giant leap in India’s naval self-reliance, having been constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
INS Nistar plays a crucial role in deep sea diving and submarine rescue operations, and aligns with India’s focus on strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing.
Static GK fact: Hindustan Shipyard Limited is India’s oldest shipyard, founded in 1941, and is now under the Ministry of Defence.
Key features of INS Nistar
INS Nistar is a 118-metre-long vessel, weighing approximately 10,000 tonnes, built with over 75% indigenous content. It follows the safety and design standards set by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
It is fitted with saturation diving systems capable of operating at depths of up to 300 metres, and a side diving stage for dives up to 75 metres. These facilities make it suitable for critical underwater tasks like rescue, repair, and salvage.
The name “Nistar” is derived from Sanskrit, meaning rescue or salvation, reflecting the ship’s core purpose.
Advanced underwater rescue capabilities
INS Nistar acts as a “Mother Ship” to the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), enabling swift submarine rescue missions. It also houses Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that can operate at depths of up to 1,000 metres, supporting deep sea recovery and inspection operations.
Such technology is available in only a handful of navies globally. With Nistar, India enters the elite group of nations capable of conducting high-risk submarine rescues and deep water support missions independently.
Static GK Tip: DSRVs are crucial to navies for rescuing personnel from disabled submarines and were previously procured from the UK.
Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and naval modernization
The commissioning of INS Nistar is a notable contribution to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat missions. It symbolizes India’s rising capability to design, develop, and deploy complex defence platforms without foreign assistance.
The vessel enhances India’s maritime safety infrastructure and will play a central role in the Navy’s sub-surface operations, training, and humanitarian missions in the Indian Ocean Region.
Static GK fact: The Indian Navy was established on January 26, 1950, and has grown to become one of the top 10 navies in the world by tonnage and operational reach.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
INS Nistar Strengthens India’s Deep Sea Rescue Capabilities:
| Topic | Detail |
| INS Nistar Induction Date | July 9, 2025 |
| Built by | Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam |
| Ship Type | Diving Support Vessel (DSV) |
| Length and Weight | 118 metres; approx. 10,000 tonnes |
| Diving Depth Capacity | Saturation diving up to 300m; ROVs up to 1000m |
| Indigenous Content | Over 75% |
| Support Role | Mother Ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel |
| Strategic Program Alignment | Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat |
| Certification | Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) standards |
| Key Technology | Remotely Operated Vehicles, Saturation Diving System |
