**Summary:**
On July 18, 2025, INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth presided over the ceremony. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, INS Nistar is designed for complex deep-sea saturation diving and rescue operations, a capability held by a limited number of navies globally. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art diving equipment, including Remotely Operated Vehicles, a Self-Propelled Hyperbaric Life Boat, and Diving Compression Chambers, enabling diving and salvage operations up to 300m depth. It will also serve as a mother ship for deep submergence rescue vessels, facilitating the rescue and evacuation of personnel from distressed submarines. The 118m ship, displacing over 10,000 tons, incorporates over 80% indigenous content, with the participation of 120 MSMEs. According to Shri Sanjay Seth, the commissioning of INS Nistar reinforces the Indian Navy's role as a First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the region and demonstrates India's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted INS Nistar as a crucial operational enabler that will provide critical submarine rescue support to the Indian Navy and regional partners, positioning India as a Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner. The event was attended by senior Naval officials, civilian dignitaries, crew of erstwhile Nistar and representatives of Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
Key Entities Referenced
INS Nistar: First indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: City in Andhra Pradesh where INS Nistar was commissioned.
Raksha Rajya Mantri: Position held by Shri Sanjay Seth, who was present at the commissioning of INS Nistar.
Shri Sanjay Seth: Raksha Rajya Mantri present at the commissioning of INS Nistar.
Indian Navy: The naval force that commissioned INS Nistar.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited: Shipyard responsible for building the Diving Support Vessels, including INS Nistar.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi: Highest ranking officer of the Indian Navy who spoke at the commissioning of INS Nistar.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India's initiative for self-reliance, highlighted in the context of indigenous warship construction.
Ministry of Defence
INS Nistar, first indigenously designed & constructed
Diving Support Vessel, commissioned in Vizag in the
presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri
The vessel is designed to undertake complex deep
sea saturation diving & rescue ops
Nistar firmly reinforces Indian Navy’s role as ‘First
Responder’ & ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the
region, says Shri Sanjay Seth
The ship is not just a technological asset, but a
crucial operational enabler: Chief of the Naval Staff
Posted On: 18 JUL 2025 3:35PM by PIB Delhi
INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned into
the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth in Visakhapatnam on July 18, 2025.
The ship, which is the first of the two Diving Support Vessels being built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, is
designed to undertake complex deep sea saturation diving and rescue operations – a capability select Navies
possess across the globe.
In his address, Raksha Rajya Mantri lauded the Indian Navy and the indigenous shipbuilding
industry for their sustained efforts in consistently enhancing the indigenous content in warships
through homegrown solutions and innovative technologies. He stated that the commissioning of INS
Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred SecurityPartner’ in the region. The indigenous shipbuilding Industry has been one of the pillars of the
Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign. At present, all of the 57 new warships in the
pipeline are being constructed indigenously.
Shri Sanjay Seth expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Armed Forces, stating that India
stands committed and resolute to tackle any form of misadventure from its adversaries. He
described the induction of INS Nistar as a technological leap and a milestone in the Indian
shipbuilding chapter towards building a future ready force.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi termed INS Nistar as
not just a technological asset, but a crucial operational enabler. “Nistar will provide critical
submarine rescue support to the Indian Navy as well as our regional partners. This will enable India
to emerge as a ‘Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner’ in this region. The commissioning of Nistar is
testimony to the growing capability and maturity of our maritime industrial base, and another shining
example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
About INS Nistar
INS Nistar is installed with state-of-the-art Diving Equipment such as Remotely Operated Vehicles, Self-
Propelled Hyperbaric Life Boat, Diving Compression Chambers. It can undertake diving and salvage
operations upto 300m depth. It would also serve as the ‘Mother Ship’ for deep submergence rescue vessel to
rescue and evacuate personnel, from a dived submarine in distress well below the surface.
The commissioning of the 118m ship, with a displacement of more than 10,000 tons, upholds the
Indian Navy’s resolve towards continuously strengthening its maritime capabilities in the
Underwater Domain. With participation of 120 MSMEs and incorporating over 80% indigenous
content, INS Nistar is a statement to India's ability to build complex ships at par with international
standards.The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior Naval officials, distinguished civilian
dignitaries, the crew of erstwhile Nistar and representatives of Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
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VK/VM/Savvy
(Release ID: 2145766)