India’s Ministry of Defence officially commissioned INS Nistar, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), into service at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Developed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the vessel represents a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in naval warfare platforms and deep-sea rescue operations. INS Nistar is equipped with advanced saturation diving systems, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), diving support chambers, and a Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Lifeboat capable of operating at depths up to 300 meters. It is purpose-built for submarine rescue, underwater salvage, and complex deep-sea operations—capabilities possessed by only a handful of advanced navies globally. The commissioning ceremony highlighted India’s expanding blue-water capabilities and strategic focus on undersea warfare readiness. INS Nistar complements India’s submarine fleet by offering critical emergency and maintenance support, thereby strengthening maritime deterrence and survivability. The ship also represents a major leap in local defense manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative and reflects growing technical expertise in specialized naval engineering. Its entry into service enhances India’s operational depth in underwater warfare scenarios, both during conflict and peacetime submarine operations.
