Indian Navy Receives Indigenous Diving Support Vessel Nipun

A cinematic editorial illustration of the Indian Navy's Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nipun sailing through Indian waters during its commissioning. The advanced naval support ship is equipped with deep-sea diving systems, rescue equipment, cranes, remotely operated underwater vehicles, and specialized mission infrastructure. Indian Navy personnel, a naval helicopter, and a surfaced submarine emphasize underwater rescue operations, maritime security, indigenous defense manufacturing, and India's growing naval capabilities. High-quality editorial artwork with no logos, watermarks, or embedded text.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) delivered Nipun, the second indigenous Diving Support Vessel, to the Indian Navy on July 30, 2026 at Visakhapatnam.


Nipun is a Sanskrit word meaning skilled, capable, and proficient. The vessel lives up to its name — it is built for deep-sea saturation diving, underwater salvage, and submarine rescue operations.


What Nipun Can Do


The vessel serves as the mother ship for India's Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). If a submarine faces an emergency, Nipun can deploy the rescue vehicle to locate, communicate with, and evacuate trapped personnel.


It carries Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for diver monitoring and deep-ocean salvage. A dedicated side diving stage allows safe deployment of divers during specialised operations.


Indigenous Build


Nipun was designed and built in accordance with Indian Register of Shipping classification rules. It carries approximately 75% indigenous content — with steel produced entirely by SAIL.


The vessel is the second in the Nistar-class, following INS Nistar which was commissioned in July 2025.


Why It Matters


Submarine rescue is among the most technically demanding naval operations in the world. Before these vessels, India depended on foreign support. With Nistar and now Nipun operational, the Indian Navy has independent deep-sea rescue capability — a significant step under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.


💬 India is now building its own submarine rescue ships. What should be next?

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