Indian Navy is set to commission INS Nipun, its second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on August 31, 2026. The induction of the specialised vessel will strengthen the Navy’s capabilities in deep-sea diving, submarine rescue and underwater intervention operations.
Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), INS Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026. The vessel has been designed and constructed according to the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping, reflecting India’s growing capability to build specialised naval platforms domestically.
INS Nipun is designed to undertake demanding deep-sea diving and rescue missions. Its specialised equipment will support underwater operations that require sustained diving capability, making the vessel an important asset for the Navy’s underwater operational infrastructure.
A key role of INS Nipun will be to support the Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) operations. The DSRV can be deployed during submarine emergencies to assist in the rescue and evacuation of personnel from distressed submarines. By serving as a support platform for the DSRV, INS Nipun will improve the Navy’s preparedness for underwater contingencies.
The vessel will also contribute to underwater intervention, diving and salvage-related missions. These capabilities are particularly important for maintaining and supporting naval assets operating beneath the surface, while also providing the Navy with greater flexibility during specialised maritime operations.
The construction of INS Nipun represents another step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence shipbuilding. The vessel has nearly 75% indigenous content, highlighting the increasing involvement of Indian shipyards and domestic industry in developing advanced platforms for the armed forces.
INS Nipun is the second DSV built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy. Its sister vessel, INS Nistar, was commissioned in July 2025 and became India’s first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel. The addition of Nipun will further expand the Navy’s specialised diving and submarine rescue support capability.
The commissioning of INS Nipun on August 31 will therefore mark an important milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its underwater operational capabilities. With its specialised diving systems, rescue support role and high level of indigenous content, the vessel is expected to play an important role in the Indian Navy’s deep-sea operations and submarine rescue preparedness.