Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) delivered the Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nistar to the Indian Navy on 8 July 2025 in Visakhapatnam. This vessel is the first in India to be both indigenously designed and constructed for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations.
The ship measures approximately 118 metres in length and displaces nearly 10,000 tonnes. Built under the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Nistar is equipped for saturation diving operations up to 300 metres and features a side diving stage for depths of up to 75 metres. It also includes Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) capable of conducting diver monitoring and salvage operations at depths of up to 1,000 metres.
Designed to serve as a mother ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRVs), Nistar will support the evacuation of submarine personnel in emergencies. According to HSL, approximately 75 percent of the vessel’s components are of indigenous origin.
The commissioning of Nistar is expected on 18 July 2025, after which it will be assigned to the Eastern Naval Command. The project experienced delays due to COVID-19-related disruptions but has since completed sea trials.
HSL, a government-owned shipbuilding company headquartered in Visakhapatnam, is involved in the construction, repair, and retrofitting of vessels for the Indian Navy and other maritime sectors.
