The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, today, significantly enhancing the force’s deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities.
The commissioning ceremony 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, veterans, distinguished guests and families of the commissioning crew attended the ceremony.
Indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, INS Nipun is a specialised naval platform built for deep-sea diving and underwater operations. Its induction marks another step towards Aatmanirbharta in defence shipbuilding and highlights the growing capability of Indian shipyards and the domestic defence industry to develop technologically complex platforms.
The vessel is capable of supporting saturation, air and heliox diving and is equipped with remotely operated underwater systems for inspection and intervention. Its specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning capability, life-support systems and medical facilities enable sustained and complex underwater operations.
INS Nipun is also equipped to support submarine rescue missions, strengthening the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to underwater contingencies. Together with its sister vessel INS Nistar, the ship significantly enhances the Navy’s capabilities in diving, underwater intervention, salvage and submarine rescue.
Addressing the commissioning ceremony, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said the induction of INS Nipun reflects the close synergy between the Indian Navy and the domestic industrial network. He noted that the successful demonstration of all diving systems during sea trials in a single sortie reflected India’s technical confidence and engineering capabilities.
The Chief of the Naval Staff emphasised that combat readiness remains the Indian Navy’s foremost priority amid an increasingly contested maritime environment and growing threats to global maritime highways. Based on the West Coast under the Western Naval Command, INS Nipun will strengthen the Navy’s specialised underwater capabilities required to support multi-domain operations.
He further highlighted the vessel’s niche capabilities, available with only a limited number of navies globally, which enable rapid response to distressed submarines of the Indian Navy as well as partner nations. The capability also reinforces India’s position as a ‘Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner’ in the region and provides specialised support for underwater salvage and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The ship’s motto, ‘Far Beneath, Few Beyond’, reflects the skill, resolve and endurance required to operate in the challenging underwater domain.
Addressing the commissioning crew, the CNS urged them to uphold the ship’s motto of ‘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 has formally entered operational service with the Indian Navy, ready to support underwater operations and contribute to safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
