INS Nistar Turns India into Indo-Pacific's Premier Submarine Rescue and Security Provider

Indigenously built, INS Nistar positions India among an elite group of nations possessing comprehensive submarine rescue capabilities.

- ASHISH SINGH

The commissioning of INS Nistar, India's first indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), on 18 July 2025 at Visakhapatnam is a strategic leap. More than a technological achievement, it significantly advances India's naval reach, underwater capabilities, and influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited with over 80 percent indigenous content and involvement from over 120 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the 10,000-tonne INS Nistar positions India among an elite group of nations possessing comprehensive submarine rescue capabilities. As underwater warfare increasingly defines regional power dynamics—with China's expansive submarine fleet operating extensively across Indo-Pacific chokepoints—INS Nistar comes at a critical juncture.

FORCE MULTIPLIER FOR THE INDIAN NAVY

INS Nistar significantly extends India's maritime operational envelope. Equipped for deep-sea saturation diving operations down to 300 meters and conventional diving up to 75 meters via a Side Diving Stage, the ship serves as the mother platform for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs). This capability, previously limited to shore-based operations, now gains strategic mobility, enabling rapid deployment during submarine emergencies.

A standout feature is INS Nistar's advanced Dynamic Positioning System (DPS). Unlike traditional anchor-based methods, DPS utilizes satellite navigation, motion sensors, gyroscopes, and environmental inputs to maintain the vessel's precise stationary position, regardless of currents or weather conditions. This is vital during rescue operations, where precise positioning over distressed submarines is essential. The DPS ensures that submarine rescue missions, saturation dives, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployments proceed with utmost accuracy and safety, a capability crucial in life-or-death underwater scenarios.

EXTENDED FLEET ENDURANCE AND SUPPORT