New Delhi: The Indian Navy is commissioning ‘Nistar,’ its first-ever indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), in a formal ceremony today at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The event will be attended by Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth.
In an announcement on X, the navy’s spokesperson confirmed the commissioning, stating, “#Nistar – India’s first indigenously designed & constructed Diving Support Vessel, to be commissioned into to the #IndianNavy today, #18Jul 25, in presence of Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri@SethSanjayMP.”
Constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited and delivered to the Navy on July 8, 2025, ‘Nistar’ has been built in compliance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). An official statement highlighted the vessel as a symbol of the Indian government’s “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) policy, with over 80% indigenous content achieved through the participation of 120 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The 118-meter-long, 10,000-ton vessel is equipped with advanced technology for specialized operations, including deep-sea diving and complex rescue missions—a capability possessed by only a few navies worldwide. Its state-of-the-art systems allow for deep saturation diving up to 300 meters and side diving operations up to 75 meters. ‘Nistar’ will also function as a “Mother Ship” for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), enabling the rescue and evacuation of personnel from submarines in distress. Furthermore, its Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) can conduct diver monitoring and salvage operations at depths of up to 1000 meters.
The name ‘Nistar,’ derived from Sanskrit for “liberation” or “rescue,” continues the legacy of a former submarine rescue vessel, the ex-Nistar, which was acquired from the USSR and served the Indian Navy from 1971 for two decades. The new ship’s motto, ‘Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam’ (Deliverance with Precision and Bravery), encapsulates its critical role in naval operations.