Indian Navy Inducts Nipun To Strengthen Deep-Sea Rescue Capabilities

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has delivered Nipun, the second indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), to the Indian Navy, marking another milestone in India's efforts to strengthen its underwater rescue and deep-sea operational capabilities. Constructed at HSL's shipyard in Visakhapatnam, the vessel follows the delivery of the lead ship, INS Nistar, nearly a year earlier. Designed in accordance with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), the handover reflects the country's growing expertise in building advanced naval platforms.

The acceptance of the vessel was formalised through the signing of the Acceptance Document (D448) by Rear Admiral Arvind Rawal, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at the Western Naval Command and Chairman of the D448 Committee, along with Rear Admiral Chandrasekharan Raghuram, VSM (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of HSL. The name Nipun, derived from Sanskrit, signifies someone who is skilled, capable and proficient, reflecting the vessel's specialised role in conducting deep-sea diving and maritime rescue operations.

Measuring 118 metres in length and displacing more than 8,560 tonnes, Nipun has been built with over 80 per cent indigenous content. The vessel is equipped with advanced Dynamic Positioning, Saturation Diving, Submarine Rescue and Deep-Sea Intervention systems, making it a comprehensive platform for underwater operations. It also features state-of-the-art diving equipment, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for deep-sea salvage and diver monitoring, and the capability to function as the 'Mother Ship' for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), enabling rescue missions during submarine emergencies.

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The project also highlights the growing strength of India's domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. According to HSL, nearly 120 small and medium enterprises contributed to the construction of the vessel, extending the economic benefits beyond the shipyard and supporting local industries in and around Visakhapatnam. The delivery further reinforces the city's reputation as one of India's leading shipbuilding and naval infrastructure hubs.

The induction of Nipun builds on the legacy of INS Nistar, commissioned in July 2025 as the first indigenously designed Diving Support Vessel of its class. At the time, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi had described the platform as a crucial operational asset that would help position India as a preferred submarine rescue partner in the region. With the successful delivery of Nipun, HSL has further demonstrated its capability to execute complex naval projects, strengthening the Indian Navy's operational readiness while advancing the country's vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

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