INS Nistar Commissioned, Boosting India’s Indigenous Naval Capabilities
21 Jul 2025 CW Team
INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam on 18 July 2025, in the presence of Defence Minister Shri Sanjay Seth. This vessel is the first of two Diving Support Vessels being built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited and is capable of undertaking complex deep-sea saturation diving and rescue operations—a specialised capability possessed by select navies worldwide.
In his address, Shri Seth praised the Indian Navy and the domestic shipbuilding industry for their consistent efforts in enhancing indigenous content in warships through homegrown solutions and innovative technologies. He stated that INS Nistar’s commissioning strengthens the Navy’s role as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the region. The indigenous shipbuilding sector remains a cornerstone of the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, with all 57 new warships currently under construction being built domestically.
Shri Sanjay Seth expressed confidence in the Armed Forces’ capabilities and India’s resolve to confront any adversarial misadventure. He described INS Nistar’s induction as a significant technological leap and a milestone in India’s shipbuilding journey towards a future-ready naval force.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted INS Nistar not only as a technological asset but as a vital operational enabler. “Nistar will provide critical submarine rescue support to the Indian Navy as well as regional partners, positioning India as a ‘Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner’ in the region. The commissioning of Nistar demonstrates the growing maturity and capability of India’s maritime industrial base and exemplifies Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.