‘Nistar’, the first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 08 July 2025 at Visakhapatnam. Constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the ship reflects India’s growing capability in naval self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Key Features of ‘Nistar’
| Attribute | Details |
| Meaning of ‘Nistar’ | Sanskrit word meaning liberation, rescue, or salvation |
| Ship Type | Diving Support Vessel (DSV) |
| Length | 118 meters |
| Tonnage | Nearly 10,000 tons |
| Design Standard | Built as per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules |
| Indigenous Content | ~75% |
Operational Capabilities
- Deep Sea Saturation Diving: Up to 300 meters.
- Side Diving Stage: For diving operations up to 75 meters.
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): Can perform diver monitoring and salvage operations up to 1,000 meters depth.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art diving and rescue equipment.
Role as Mother Ship
- Acts as the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).
- Can be used for rescue and evacuation of submarine personnel during underwater emergencies.
Strategic Importance
- One of the few navies globally to possess such advanced deep-sea rescue capability.
- Boosts Indian Navy’s underwater domain awareness, rescue operations, and deep-sea mission preparedness.
- Strengthens India’s capabilities in submarine rescue, underwater surveillance, and salvage operations.
- Major step in India’s naval self-reliance under Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.