India Commissions INS Nistar to Strengthen Maritime Safety Infrastructure

Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the ship represents the Navy’s technological prowess and commitment to self-reliance. With its primary role in deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations, INS Nistar is a strategic enabler, a life-saving sentinel, and a symbol of India's advancing maritime capability.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the Eastern Naval Command base, was attended by senior naval leadership, defence officials, engineers, and shipyard workers whose efforts brought this vision to life.

A new era in subsea excellence

INS Nistar is tailored to support one of the most complex and high-stakes operations in naval warfare—submarine rescue.

In peacetime and war, the risk to submariners operating in the depths of the ocean is immense.

With the commissioning of Nistar, India now has a specialised platform capable of supporting deep-sea diving, underwater salvage, and rapid rescue operations in the rare event of submarine emergencies.

The ship comes equipped with a Saturation Diving System, allowing trained divers to operate at depths of up to 300 meters for extended durations.

This system is vital for both rescue and underwater engineering operations.

Nistar also features a Dynamic Positioning System, allowing it to maintain precise positioning during diving and rescue missions, even in challenging sea conditions.

Engineered in India, for Indian waters

One of the standout features of INS Nistaris is its indigenously designed and constructed hull, systems, and support architecture.

The vessel is the product of years of planning, collaboration, and innovation between the Indian Navy and Hindustan Shipyard Limited. Hindustan Shipyard’s meticulous engineering has resulted in a robust platform that meets the high standards of naval architecture, safety, and operational effectiveness.

The catamaran-hull design offers enhanced stability, a crucial attribute for precision rescue operations in open seas.

Equipped with decompression chambers, high-tech control rooms, and onboard medical facilities, Nistar is a floating fortress of undersea rescue technology.

Life-saving capabilities

What sets INS Nistar apart is its potential to save lives.

In the unforgiving environment of deep seas, timely response during emergencies can mean the difference between survival and tragedy.

Nistar’s ability to rapidly deploy a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) makes it an indispensable asset in the Indian Navy’s rescue arsenal.

DSRVs are designed to dock with distressed submarines and safely extract trapped crew members.

Coupled with Nistar’s onboard decompression facilities and post-rescue care systems, the ship ensures that crew members are medically stabilised and protected after their ordeal in the deep.

The psychological assurance Nistar provides to submariners is invaluable.

Knowing that a dedicated rescue platform is always ready and within reach instils confidence in the Navy’s growing fleet of conventional and nuclear submarines.

In times of peace, Nistar’s capabilities can be extended to assist friendly navies and regional partners facing submarine incidents or seeking help with underwater salvage operations.

By participating in bilateral and multilateral rescue drills, the vessel enhances interoperability with international navies and furthers maritime cooperation.

These initiatives not only promote regional safety but also amplify India's commitment to collective security and humanitarian assistance.

Training and exploration

The INS Nistar serves as a critical training ground for naval divers, underwater engineers, and submarine rescue personnel.

It is fitted with modern classrooms, diving simulators, and real-time mission analysis tools that enable both practical training and scenario-based learning.

Additionally, the vessel’s infrastructure can support India's growing ambitions in the blue economy and deep-sea exploration.

Nistar’s diving capabilities can be utilised in underwater inspections, pipeline maintenance, marine scientific research, and even archaeological exploration.

These dual-purpose roles make it a valuable asset not just for the Navy, but also for agencies involved in ocean resource management and environmental monitoring.

Coordinated domestic effort in shipbuilding

Hindustan Shipyard’s successful delivery of Nistar ahead of schedule is also a testament to the efficiency and resilience of Indian shipbuilding. The project has empowered numerous Indian MSMEs, tech developers, and skilled professionals across the supply chain.

The commissioning of INS Nistar reflects the Indian Navy’s strategic foresight and the country's commitment to enhancing maritime safety.

For young naval cadets and aspiring marine engineers, the vessel represents an example of domestic shipbuilding achieved through coordinated technical innovation and planning.

In the coming years, as INS Nistar operates in Indian and international waters, it is expected to contribute to undersea operations and support India’s broader maritime objectives.