India’s First Indigenous Diving Support Vessel
INS Nistar Strengthens India’s Deep-Sea Rescue Power: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar on July 19, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. This is India’s first fully indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. It marks a major step in enhancing underwater rescue operations and maritime strength in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Historical Continuity with Modern Upgrades
INS Nistar carries forward the legacy of the original INS Nistar, a submarine rescue ship acquired from the Soviet Union in 1969, which was decommissioned in 1989. The new vessel is equipped with over 80% indigenous components, involving nearly 120 MSMEs.
Static GK fact: The Soviet Union was India’s primary defence partner during the Cold War, supplying major naval platforms including the earlier INS Nistar.
Key Features and Capabilities
INS Nistar weighs around 10,500 tonnes, is 120 metres long, and has a beam over 20 metres. It is capable of staying at sea for over 60 days and includes saturation and air diving complexes, ROVs, and side-scan SONARs.
It can operate as a mothership to a UK-origin Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). The vessel also houses an 8-bed hospital, hyperbaric chambers, and can support helicopter operations and subsea tasks with a 15-tonne crane.
Static GK Tip: Hyperbaric chambers are essential for treating decompression sickness, a critical risk in deep-sea diving.
Boost to Strategic Maritime Operations
With India’s expanding submarine fleet, platforms like INS Nistar are crucial for deep-sea rescue readiness. Its dynamic positioning system and high transit speed allow autonomous and rapid emergency responses, minimizing reliance on private vessels during crises.
Static GK fact: India currently operates nuclear-powered submarines (INS Arihant-class) and diesel-electric submarines under Project 75 and Project 75(I).
Dual-Seaboard Deployment for National Security
INS Nistar will be stationed in Visakhapatnam to cover the Eastern Seaboard, while INS Nipun, its sister vessel, will operate from Mumbai. Together, they ensure comprehensive coastal and underwater operational support.
This dual-deployment model enhances India’s HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) capacity and its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.
Strengthening Global Maritime Diplomacy
India now joins an elite group of nations with operational DSRV platforms, enabling it to support partner navies during emergencies. These vessels are a key part of India’s maritime diplomacy, offering expertise through bilateral agreements and enhancing global trust in India’s naval capabilities.
Static GK Tip: Countries like the US, UK, Russia, and South Korea also maintain DSRV-equipped naval support platforms.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
INS Nistar Strengthens India’s Deep-Sea Rescue Power:
| Topic | Detail |
| Commissioning Date | July 19, 2025 |
| Built by | Hindustan Shipyard Limited |
| Indigenous Content | Over 80% |
| Legacy Vessel | Soviet-built INS Nistar (1969–1989) |
| Displacement | 10,500 tonnes |
| Deployment Base | Visakhapatnam (Eastern Seaboard) |
| Sister Ship | INS Nipun (Western Seaboard) |
| Key Equipment | DSRV, ROVs, Side Scan SONARs |
| Medical Facilities | 8-bed hospital, ICU, hyperbaric chambers |
| Strategic Role | Submarine rescue, HADR, maritime diplomacy |
