Why in news?
In July 2025 the Indian Navy prepared to commission INS Nistar, its first indigenously designed Diving Support Vessel. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam with 80 % local content, the vessel enhances India’s underwater rescue capabilities.
What is INS Nistar?
- INS Nistar is a large, specialised ship designed to support deep‑sea diving, submarine rescue and underwater operations.
- It will serve as the mother ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) that assist distressed submarines.
Key features
- Large displacement: The vessel displaces more than 10,000 tonnes, measures about 120 metres in length and can remain at sea for over 60 days.
- Advanced positioning: Equipped with a dynamic positioning system that allows precise station‑keeping during complex underwater tasks.
- Diving and rescue equipment: Houses saturation diving systems, air diving chambers, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), side‑scan sonar and facilities for operating DSRVs.
- Medical facilities: Includes an operation theatre, intensive care unit, eight‑bed hospital and hyperbaric chambers for treating divers.
- Multi‑mission capability: Features a helicopter deck and a heavy‑lift subsea crane for logistics and salvage operations.
Significance
- Fills a critical capability gap in submarine rescue and deep‑sea operations, reducing reliance on foreign assistance.
- Supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting domestic shipbuilding and involving over 120 MSMEs.
- Boosts maritime preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region and contributes to humanitarian assistance during maritime disasters.
