Mumbai: The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Nipun, the second indigenous Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, significantly strengthening the force’s deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, INS Nipun is a specialised platform built to support complex underwater operations. Its induction gives the Navy a dedicated diving support vessel on the western coast, complementing sister ship INS Nistar, which operates from the Eastern Naval Command. Together, the two vessels provide the Navy with a two-ship, two-coast capability for specialised deep-sea operations and submarine rescue.
#WATCH || 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐍𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 (𝐃𝐒𝐕) 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫-𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐌𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐢.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chief of… https://t.co/qTTPU6w3rc pic.twitter.com/hPgtK9RUBK
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 31, 2026
Advanced platform for underwater operations
INS Nipun is equipped with advanced diving systems and has the capability to undertake deep-sea saturation diving. A side diving stage enables specialised diving operations, while remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) can assist with diver monitoring, underwater intervention and salvage activities.
The vessel is also designed to serve as a mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). In the event of a submarine emergency, it can support rescue operations and evacuation of personnel, providing an important additional layer to the Navy’s submarine rescue preparedness.
The ship incorporates modern navigation, platform-management and precision station-keeping systems, along with dedicated diving, underwater intervention and medical facilities. These systems allow it to remain accurately positioned while supporting demanding underwater missions.
#Nipun is set to be commissioned into the #IndianNavy today, with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, presiding over the ceremony.
The commissioning marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.#INSNipun… https://t.co/4jUq0RniSc pic.twitter.com/g7fOqOFByq
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 31, 2026
Nearly 80% indigenous content
The commissioning also marks another milestone in India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding. The vessel has nearly 75–80% indigenous content, according to official and defence-sector sources.
INS Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy by HSL on July 30, 2026, after extensive outfitting and trials. The vessel is approximately 119.4 metres long, has a displacement of around 10,500 tonnes, and can support diving operations to depths of up to 300 metres.
The ship also has significant medical and humanitarian capabilities, allowing it to support disaster-relief and other emergency missions in addition to its core underwater role.
Strengthening India’s underwater preparedness
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said that INS Nipun would be a significant addition to the Navy’s specialised underwater capabilities required for multi-domain deep-water operations.
Its induction is particularly significant because submarine rescue and deep-sea intervention are highly specialised capabilities requiring dedicated platforms, trained personnel and sophisticated equipment.
With INS Nipun now joining INS Nistar, the Indian Navy has strengthened its ability to conduct deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue operations across both India’s eastern and western maritime approaches.
The commissioning of INS Nipun therefore represents more than the addition of another naval vessel—it underlines India’s growing ability to design and build specialised platforms domestically for some of the Navy’s most demanding underwater missions.
