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INS Nistar – India’s Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV)

This is Weapon-O-Pedia coverage for INS Nistar. Weapon-O-Pedia, is an initiative by Alpha Defence aimed at creating a credible, easy-to-understand reference platform for all weapon systems, including aircraft, ships, guns, tanks, UAVs, radars, and more. It serves as a one-stop source for verified, simplified, and structured information, empowering enthusiasts, students, and professionals with reliable data on global and indigenous military platforms.

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Overview

INS Nistar marks a pivotal milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in advanced naval technologies. Commissioned on July 18, 2025, in Visakhapatnam, this Diving Support Vessel (DSV) represents the Indian Navy’s strategic leap in submarine rescue and deep-sea operations. Built indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), INS Nistar reflects India’s growing competence in undersea domain awareness (UDA), rescue capabilities, and maritime diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.

What is INS Nistar?

INS Nistar is a specialized naval vessel purpose-built for deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, and salvage operations. Acting as a mother ship for a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), it provides rapid response capabilities to save submariners during emergencies. Its high endurance, dynamic positioning system, and onboard medical facilities make it a multi-role underwater rescue platform with strategic relevance beyond national boundaries.

Historical Legacy

The name Nistar carries a legacy:

Design and Construction

This project supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat, making it a showcase for India’s naval manufacturing ecosystem.

Technical Specifications

AttributeSpecification
TypeDiving Support Vessel (DSV)
Displacement~10,500 tonnes
Length~120 meters
Beam (width)~20 meters
EnduranceOver 60 days at sea
SpeedHigh transit speed for emergency deployments
Power Generation13 MW
Dynamic PositioningDP2 class system
Subsea Crane15-tonne capacity
Heli-deckSupports helicopter operations
Onboard HospitalICU, OT, 8-bed ward with hyperbaric chambers

Key Capabilities

1. Submarine Rescue Operations

2. Deep-Sea Diving Support

3. Underwater Surveillance and Recovery

4. Medical and Evacuation Capabilities

Strategic Role and Regional Importance

1. Maritime Diplomacy and First-Responder Role

2. Enhancing Undersea Domain Awareness

Similar Systems Worldwide

CountryVessel/SystemKey Features
USAUSNS Safeguard (ARS-50 class, retired), now using Fly-Away DSRVsModular, air-deployable rescue systems used with commercial support ships
UKDSRV via James Fisher DefenceIndia operates this same system
RussiaIgor Belousov (Project 21300)Full-fledged DSV with rescue bells, ROVs, diving complex
ChinaType 926 Submarine Support ShipCarries rescue submersibles; dual-use for salvage and underwater repair
South KoreaCheonghaejin ClassSupports rescue operations; equipped with DSRVs and divers
AustraliaSubmarine Escape Rescue and Abandonment System (SERAS)Modular system with global deployment capability
SingaporeMV Swift Rescue (operated by James Fisher Defence)Regional rescue support with NATO-compatible interface

India’s INS Nistar joins this elite list, but with enhanced regional coverage and a unique role as a bilateral and multilateral support provider in undersea emergencies.

Technology Insight: Saturation Diving and DSRVs

Saturation Diving System

Dynamic Positioning (DP2)

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV)

Significance for India and Future Outlook

INS Nistar is more than a naval asset; it is a strategic tool that:

Looking ahead, India’s investment in vessels like INS Nistar and INS Nipun reflects its long-term vision to build a blue-water navy with robust underwater logistics, rescue, and support capability.

Conclusion

INS Nistar is a defining milestone in India’s quest for underwater dominance, built not only with steel and circuits but also with decades of experience, foresight, and collaboration. It embodies technological self-reliance, regional security leadership, and a humane mission—to save lives beneath the waves.


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