Navy commissions INS Nipun to boost deep-sea diving, rescue capabilities

Mumbai, August 31. The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, significantly strengthening its deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities.

The commissioning ceremony, held on August 31, was presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan in the presence of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan. Senior naval officers, representatives of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, veterans and other dignitaries attended the ceremony along with families of the commissioning crew.

Designed and built indigenously by HSL, INS Nipun adds a specialised underwater operations platform to the Navy’s fleet and underscores India’s growing ability to develop and manufacture technologically sophisticated naval vessels domestically.

The induction is also being seen as a boost to the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative in defence shipbuilding, with the project reflecting the contribution of Indian shipyards, domestic industry and associated agencies to the Navy’s indigenous capabilities.

INS Nipun has been purpose-built for deep-sea diving and underwater operations. The vessel can support saturation, air and heliox diving and is equipped with remotely operated underwater systems for inspection and intervention missions.

Its specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning system, life-support equipment and medical facilities enable the ship to undertake prolonged and technically demanding underwater operations.

The vessel is also equipped to support submarine rescue missions, enhancing the Navy’s ability to respond to underwater emergencies. Together with its sister ship INS Nistar, INS Nipun will strengthen India’s capabilities in diving, underwater intervention, salvage and submarine rescue.

The ship carries the motto ‘Far Beneath, Few Beyond’, reflecting the specialised nature of its operations and the endurance and expertise required to work in the deep-sea environment.

Addressing the commissioning ceremony, Admiral Swaminathan said the induction of INS Nipun demonstrated the close coordination between the Indian Navy, HSL and the country’s wider industrial ecosystem.

He noted that all diving systems had demonstrated their role-worthiness during sea trials in a single sortie, describing the achievement as evidence of India’s growing technical confidence and engineering capabilities.

The Navy Chief said combat readiness remained the service’s top priority amid an increasingly contested maritime environment and growing threats to global maritime trade routes. Based on India’s western coast under the Western Naval Command, INS Nipun would provide a major boost to specialised underwater capabilities required for multi-domain operations, he said.

According to the Navy, INS Nipun possesses niche capabilities available with only a limited number of navies worldwide. These capabilities will enable rapid assistance to distressed Indian submarines as well as those operated by friendly and partner countries.

The vessel is expected to strengthen India’s position as a “preferred submarine rescue partner” in the region, besides providing specialised support for underwater salvage operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.

Addressing the commissioning crew, the Navy Chief said they had inherited not only an advanced naval platform but also the responsibility of developing its operational ethos and spirit. He urged them to uphold the ship’s motto, ‘Nischay, Nirbhay, Nipun’ – Resolve, Fearlessness and Professional Mastery – and remain guided by the core naval values of ‘Duty, Honour and Courage’.

With the hoisting of the Commissioning Pennant, INS Nipun formally entered operational service, adding a specialised capability to the Indian Navy’s underwater warfare and rescue infrastructure and strengthening its ability to safeguard India’s maritime interests.