Indian Navy inducts ‘Nistar’, first indigenous diving support vessel

The Indian Navy on Tuesday marked the induction of its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), Nistar. The vessel was formally handed over by Hindustan Shipyard Limited during a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam.

Built in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Nistar is a highly specialized warship equipped to conduct Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations—an advanced capability possessed by only a select few navies globally.

The name Nistar, derived from Sanskrit, means liberation, rescue, or salvation. The ship stretches 118 meters in length and displaces nearly 10,000 tons. Designed with cutting-edge diving equipment, Nistar can perform deep sea saturation diving operations up to a depth of 300 meters. Additionally, it features a side diving stage that supports diving missions up to 75 meters deep.

One of the ship’s critical roles will be to act as the “Mother Ship” for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), which is responsible for rescuing and evacuating personnel in case of a submarine emergency. The vessel is also equipped with advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), allowing diver monitoring and salvage operations up to 1000 meters below sea level.

With approximately 75% indigenous content, the successful delivery of Nistar marks a notable achievement in the Indian Navy’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.