India’s First Indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nistar’ Delivered to Navy
Visakhapatnam, 08 July 2025 — In a significant leap for indigenous defence capabilities, the Indian Navy on Monday received its first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), ‘Nistar’, from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. The handover marks a landmark achievement for India’s maritime self-reliance and deep-sea operational capabilities.
The delivery of Nistar was conducted in a formal ceremony attended by senior officials from the Indian Navy and HSL. The vessel stands as a testament to India’s growing technological expertise in naval shipbuilding and deep-sea support operations.
‘Nistar’, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning liberation, rescue, or salvation, is a highly specialised warship engineered for Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations—a rare and elite capability possessed by only a select few navies globally. Designed and constructed to stringent standards under the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, the vessel showcases advanced maritime engineering.
Measuring 118 meters in length and displacing nearly 10,000 tons, Nistar is equipped with an impressive array of cutting-edge diving equipment. It is capable of Saturation Diving up to 300 meters, allowing deep-sea operations vital for submarine rescue, underwater repairs, and salvage missions. A Side Diving Stage enables operations up to 75 meters depth for more routine underwater tasks.
Additionally, the ship carries a suite of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), extending its capability to monitor divers and conduct salvage operations down to 1,000 meters. This allows for both manned and unmanned intervention in underwater environments, boosting operational safety and efficiency.
A key feature of Nistar is its role as the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV). In the event of an emergency involving a submarine, Nistar can deploy the DSRV to rescue and evacuate trapped personnel from the depths of the ocean—a capability that is critical for any modern navy with a submarine fleet.
This makes the vessel an indispensable asset in the Indian Navy’s arsenal, providing a critical response platform for submarine accidents, underwater emergencies, and search and rescue operations in high-risk maritime zones.
What makes the delivery of Nistar even more significant is that it represents nearly 75% indigenous content, making it a strong embodiment of the Indian government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative. Built under the ‘Make in India’ campaign, Nistar not only strengthens the Navy’s operational capabilities but also contributes to domestic shipbuilding expertise, employment, and economic growth.
“This achievement is a proud moment for Indian defence manufacturing,” a senior naval official stated at the delivery event. “It underlines our unwavering commitment to self-reliance, technological excellence, and operational preparedness.”
The induction of Nistar comes at a time when India is significantly enhancing its naval reach and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. With increasing geopolitical challenges and the strategic importance of underwater domains, the availability of a world-class DSV ensures that India’s submarine operations are better supported, safer, and more capable.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited, which has been at the forefront of India’s naval shipbuilding efforts, termed the delivery of Nistar as a “historic milestone” and reaffirmed its commitment to future indigenous defence projects.
With the delivery of Nistar, India takes another decisive step toward developing a blue-water navy with comprehensive support infrastructure, reaffirming its status as a rising maritime power.
Author: shipping inbox
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