The Indian Navy has strengthened its underwater and deep-sea operational capabilities with the commissioning of the indigenous Diving Support Vessel INS Nipun at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the vessel has been developed with around 75 percent indigenous content and is designed to support some of the Navy’s most demanding underwater operations.
With the induction of INS Nipun, the Western Naval Command now has a dedicated Diving Support Vessel capable of undertaking deep-sea diving, rescue operations and underwater maintenance missions. The vessel complements INS Nistar, which is already serving under the Eastern Naval Command.
INS Nipun has a displacement of around 8,500 tonnes and has been designed to operate in challenging maritime conditions. One of its major capabilities is saturation diving up to a depth of 300 metres. It can also conduct side-stage diving operations up to 75 metres, allowing naval personnel to undertake underwater tasks at considerable depths.
The vessel is particularly important for submarine rescue operations. In the event of a submarine becoming stranded or facing an emergency underwater, INS Nipun can support rescue missions aimed at bringing trapped personnel safely back to the surface. Its specialised systems are designed to provide technical and operational assistance during complex underwater missions.
The vessel is also equipped to operate in rough sea conditions. Its Dynamic Positioning System helps maintain the vessel’s position during underwater operations, even when sea conditions are challenging. A 15-tonne subsea crane has also been installed to handle heavy underwater equipment and support various deep-sea activities.
Another major feature of INS Nipun is its remotely operated vehicle capability. These ROVs can operate at depths of up to 1,000 metres and can be used for underwater inspection, search, surveillance and technical support. Such systems can be particularly useful in areas where sending divers directly into the water may be difficult or unsafe.
Medical support is another important aspect of the vessel. INS Nipun has an eight-bed hospital, an intensive care unit, an operating theatre and hyperbaric medical facilities. These facilities can provide specialised medical support for personnel involved in deep-sea diving operations and help address medical complications associated with underwater missions.
The vessel is not limited to rescue and diving missions. It can also provide underwater repair and maintenance support when ships, machinery or other equipment develop faults beneath the sea. This capability can reduce the dependence on external support and allow the Navy to respond more effectively to underwater technical emergencies.
The commissioning of INS Nipun also strengthens India’s indigenous defence shipbuilding capabilities. The vessel has been designed and constructed domestically, reflecting the growing emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing and maritime technology.
The Ministry of Defence had signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited in September 2018 for the construction of two Diving Support Vessels at a cost of around Rs 2,393 crore. The keel of INS Nistar was laid in December 2019, while the keel of INS Nipun was laid approximately three months later.
After completing construction, outfitting and extensive sea trials, INS Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 30. It was subsequently commissioned into the Navy on August 31. The induction of the vessel is expected to provide the Navy with enhanced capabilities for deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, underwater maintenance and other specialised maritime operations.
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