Indian Navy to commission second diving support vessel Nipun on August 31
The Indian Navy is set to commission 'Nipun', its second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on August 31, 2026. The vessel is designed to enhance the Navy's capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater intervention, and submarine rescue operations.
Nipun has been indigenously designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, under the government's push for self-reliance in defence shipbuilding. The vessel was handed over to the Navy on July 30 after completing an extensive programme of outfitting and trials, the Navy said in a statement.
As a purpose-built platform, Nipun is equipped with modern diving systems and underwater intervention tools. It is designed to provide sustained support to divers operating in challenging maritime conditions, and will also augment the Navy's capability to undertake submarine rescue missions. The vessel features advanced navigation and platform-management systems, along with precise station-keeping abilities, enabling it to hold position accurately during operations.
Specialised facilities on board include diving equipment, underwater intervention gear, and medical support, allowing the vessel to function as an integrated platform for complex underwater missions. The induction of Nipun is expected to strengthen the Navy's ability to conduct specialised diving and underwater operations across India's maritime areas of interest.
The commissioning also highlights the growing capability of India's domestic shipbuilding industry to design and deliver technologically advanced, specialised vessels for the armed forces. Nipun is the second vessel in the Nistar class; the first, Nistar, was commissioned earlier. Both vessels are part of the Navy's efforts to modernise its fleet of auxiliary support ships.
The crest of Nipun reflects its primary role as a Diving Support Vessel. It features a whale, known for diving to great depths and remaining submerged for extended periods, representing endurance and sustained operations in the deep ocean. A modern diving helmet symbolises the diver at the core of the vessel's mission, representing its advanced diving and life-support systems. Together, the whale and helmet signify Nipun's role in taking divers into the depths, sustaining them during demanding underwater operations, and ensuring their safe return.
The Navy's focus on augmenting its underwater capabilities comes amid growing regional emphasis on undersea warfare and maritime security. Diving support vessels play a crucial role in salvage, repair, and rescue operations, particularly in the event of submarine emergencies. The induction of Nipun is a step towards ensuring the Navy is better prepared for such contingencies.
The commissioning ceremony, scheduled to be held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, will be attended by senior naval officers and officials from HSL. The vessel will be formally inducted into the Navy's fleet, joining the growing list of indigenous ships serving the country.
In recent years, India has prioritised the construction of naval vessels in domestic shipyards, with a focus on reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The Nistar-class vessels are among several projects undertaken by HSL, which has been designated as a strategic shipyard for the Navy.
With Nipun joining the fleet, the Navy now has two specialised diving support vessels capable of conducting deep-sea operations. This is expected to improve the Navy's operational readiness and its ability to respond to underwater emergencies, thereby enhancing overall maritime security.
