The Indian Navy’s second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), named ‘Nipun’, is scheduled to be commissioned on August 31, as announced by the Defence Ministry on Tuesday. This vessel is equipped with advanced diving systems and underwater intervention capabilities, enhancing the Navy’s operational readiness in maritime environments.
Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, ‘Nipun’ represents a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence shipbuilding. The ship is equipped with modern diving systems and underwater intervention capabilities, enabling sustained support to divers operating in demanding conditions at sea. The ship incorporates modern systems for navigation, platform management and precise station keeping, complemented by specialised facilities for diving, underwater intervention and medical support. The induction of this indigenously built platform also reflects the growing capability of the country’s shipbuilding ecosystem to deliver technologically advanced and specialised vessels in support of the Navy’s operational requirements, it added.
The vessel was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 30 following completion of an extensive programme of outfitting and trials. The Navy is set to commission ‘Nipun’, the second DSV of the Nistar-class, on August 31 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, it said.
It is a purpose-built platform designed to support a wide spectrum of diving and underwater operations, the ministry said in a statement. “The induction of the specialised vessel will mark an important addition to the Navy’s deep-sea diving and underwater support capabilities and herald the beginning of a new chapter in the ship’s journey from construction to operational service,” the ministry said. It will also augment the Indian Navy’s capability to support submarine rescue operations, it said. These capabilities enable ‘Nipun’ to function as an integrated platform for complex operations beneath the surface, the ministry said.
Navy’s Enhanced Underwater Capabilities
The commissioning of a new ship is set to bolster the Indian Navy’s capacity for specialized diving and underwater missions. This development will enhance operations across India’s key maritime areas of interest, allowing for more effective engagement in various underwater activities.
