Indian Navy has commissioned INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), for deep-sea saturation diving and submarine rescue operations. Developed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the vessel was inducted into the Eastern Naval Command, marking a technological leap in India’s maritime self-reliance. This capability is possessed by only a select few navies globally.
About INS Nistar
- Builder: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
- Dimensions: 118 m length, displacement over 10,000 tonnes.
- Ships Operational Motto: Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam meaning, “Deliverance with Precision and Bravery”.
- Role: First responder in maritime distress, preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Commissioning Significance:
- Reinforces Atmanirbhar Bharat in naval shipbuilding.
- Enhances submarine rescue capabilities for India and regional partners.
- Boosts India’s readiness for high-risk undersea rescue missions.
- Indigenous Content: Over 80%, with participation from 120 MSMEs.
- Order: First of two DSVs ordered in 2018 — second is INS Nipun.
Capabilities & Features
Diving & Rescue:
- Can operate up to 300 metres depth.
- Equipped with saturation diving systems, diving compression chambers, and self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboats.
Submarine Rescue:
- Serves as Mother Ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).
- Can evacuate personnel from distressed submarines at depth.
Advanced Equipment:
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
- Side Scan SONAR for underwater search.
- Dynamic Positioning System for precision during operations.
Medical Facilities:
- Operation theatre, ICU, 8-bed hospital.
- Hyperbaric medical support for diving-related injuries.
Endurance & Operations:
- 60+ days endurance at sea.
- Helicopter landing capability.
- 15-ton subsea crane for salvage work.
Historical Context
- Legacy Vessel: The original Nistar was a submarine rescue vessel from the USSR, commissioned in 1971 and served for 20 years.
- The new INS Nistar carries forward this legacy with modern indigenous technology.
Strategic Significance
- Strengthens India’s underwater operational capability in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Positions India as a Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner for friendly navies.
- Demonstrates India’s ability to build complex defence platforms domestically.
- Enhances India’s maritime security posture and self-reliance in niche naval capabilities.
Key Facts
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL): Established in 1941 as Scindia Shipyard; taken over by Government of India in 1952; located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Eastern Naval Command: Headquartered in Visakhapatnam; responsible for the security of India’s eastern maritime borders.
- Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV): Used for rescuing trapped submarine crew; India operates DSRVs supplied by James Fisher Defence, UK.
- Dynamic Positioning System: A computer-controlled system that maintains a vessel’s position and heading automatically using its own propellers and thrusters.
- Indian Navy’s Motto: Sham No Varunah — “May the Lord of the Oceans be Auspicious Unto Us”.