Indian Navy Commissions INS Nipun Diving Support Vessel

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan commissioned the INS Nipun, the Indian Navy's second Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on August 31, 2026. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam with nearly 75 percent indigenous content, the vessel was delivered to the navy on July 30, 2026.

The vessel is designed for multi-domain deep-water operations up to 300 metres and features saturation diving capabilities and Remotely Operated Vehicles. It can serve as a mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel to evacuate personnel from distressed submarines. The ship includes precise station-keeping systems and dedicated medical support to sustain operations in demanding maritime conditions.

Based on the West Coast under the Western Naval Command, the INS Nipun is intended to address an increasingly contested maritime environment and evolving threat perceptions. Admiral Swaminathan stated the vessel positions India as a "Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner" in the region and enhances the capacity to respond to emergencies involving both Indian and partner navies. Beyond rescue, the platform will be deployed for underwater salvage, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions.