On July 9, 2025, the Indian Navy received its first indigenously designed and built diving support vessel (DSV), INS Nistar at Visakhapatnam. Delivered by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the vessel is highly specialised and can undertake deep sea diving and rescue operations.
The 118‑metre vessel with a tonnage of about 10,000 tonnes, embodies over 75 per cent indigenous content. It supports deep-sea saturation diving up to 300 metres and shallow side-stage diving up to 75 metres. It is equipped with remotely operated vehicles capable of salvage and diver monitoring at depths up to 1,000 metres.
Designed as the mother ship for the deep submergence rescue vessel, INS Nistar will play a critical role in submarine rescue and evacuation capabilities, elevating India’s status among global navies with advanced underwater rescue preparedness.