The Indian Navy is set to commission Nipun, its second indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), adding another specialised platform to its growing fleet of domestically built naval assets. The vessel was formally delivered to the Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026, and is expected to be commissioned in Mumbai by late August or early September.
A major highlight of the induction is that Nipun will become the Indian Navy’s eighth indigenous naval platform inducted in 2026, reflecting the accelerating pace of indigenous shipbuilding and naval modernisation. It follows seven other domestically built platforms inducted during the year, namely INS Anjadip, INS Taragiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, INS Agray, INS Mahendragiri and INS Malvan.
Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Nipun has been developed specifically for demanding underwater missions. The vessel has nearly 75 per cent indigenous content and has been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping. Its development is therefore significant not only from an operational perspective but also for India’s efforts to expand domestic capabilities in specialised naval shipbuilding.
Nipun is equipped to undertake deep-sea diving and maritime rescue operations, including specialised missions that require prolonged underwater activity. Its diving suite includes systems for deep-sea saturation diving, while a side diving stage provides additional support for diving operations.
The vessel is also fitted with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). These systems can be used to assist divers, conduct underwater inspections and support salvage operations in environments where direct human intervention may be difficult or hazardous.
One of Nipun’s most important roles will be its ability to operate as a mother ship for the Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV). In the event of a submarine accident or other underwater emergency, the DSV can provide the platform and support infrastructure required for DSRV operations, helping facilitate the rescue and evacuation of personnel from a disabled submarine.
The induction is particularly important as the Indian Navy continues to expand and modernise its submarine fleet. Dedicated diving support vessels provide specialised capabilities that cannot be easily replicated by conventional warships, particularly for deep-sea rescue, underwater search, salvage and other technically demanding operations.
Nipun also represents a continuation of the Navy’s indigenous DSV programme. Its sister vessel, INS Nistar, became the first of the two specialised platforms and was commissioned in 2025. The addition of Nipun provides the Navy with another dedicated asset for underwater rescue and diving support missions.
The vessel’s delivery further demonstrates the increasing role of Indian shipyards in producing sophisticated platforms for the armed forces. With substantial indigenous content and specialised onboard systems, Nipun supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat objective of reducing dependence on foreign sources for critical defence capabilities.
For the Indian Navy, Nipun is more than another addition to the fleet. Its specialised capabilities will improve preparedness for submarine emergencies, deep-sea rescue missions, underwater salvage and other operations across the maritime domain. Its induction as the eighth indigenous naval platform of 2026 further underlines the Navy’s growing reliance on India’s domestic defence-industrial base.