The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on August 31, 2026, marking a major addition to India’s specialist underwater warfare and rescue capabilities.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, along with senior naval officers, representatives of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), veterans and the ship’s commissioning crew.
Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, INS Nipun has been developed as a purpose-built platform for deep-sea diving and underwater operations. The vessel can support saturation, air and heliox diving, while remotely operated underwater systems provide additional capabilities for inspection and underwater intervention. Its specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning system, life-support arrangements and medical facilities are designed to support sustained and complex missions at sea.
A key role of INS Nipun is its ability to support submarine rescue operations. The vessel can operate as a dedicated support platform for underwater contingencies and complements its sister ship, INS Nistar, strengthening the Navy’s ability to conduct diving, salvage, underwater intervention and submarine rescue missions. With Nipun operating from the western seaboard and Nistar serving the eastern side, the Navy now has specialist diving support coverage on both coasts.
The platform was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 30, 2026, after completing its outfitting and trials. Its induction also highlights the increasing role of India’s domestic shipbuilding industry in producing technologically advanced and specialised naval platforms.
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan described the vessel’s specialised capabilities as being available with only a limited number of navies worldwide and highlighted its potential to respond to distressed submarines belonging to India as well as partner countries. INS Nipun can also contribute to underwater salvage operations and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
The commissioning of INS Nipun is therefore an important step in strengthening the Indian Navy’s underwater operational readiness while advancing Aatmanirbharta in defence shipbuilding. With the vessel now formally entering operational service, the Navy gains a dedicated platform capable of supporting some of the most demanding missions beneath the sea.