The Indian Navy’s first of two domestically built dive support vessels (DSVs), INS Nistar, is almost finished at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. According to recent reports, on March 21, 2025, the ship successfully completed sea trials for its observation class remotely operated vehicle (OROV) and air/mix gas diving equipment.
With its side diving stage and open bottom bell, this diving complex can operate at depths of up to 75 meters.
The INS Nistar’s capabilities are essential for quick underwater inspections and surveys, which improves saturation diving operations planning. Even in difficult sea conditions, recovery operations will be supported by the ship’s marine crane, which can lift 15 tonnes from the seabed.
In keeping with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat objective, the building of INS Nistar is a component of a larger plan to strengthen India’s naval capabilities and encourage independence through domestic manufacturing.
The purpose of the DSVs is to support the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet by offering vital services like search and rescue missions, deep-sea diving, submarine rescue operations, and prolonged patrols.
Involving many MSME vendors from all over India in the project’s construction has also greatly boosted local employment and economic growth.
