The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar Class, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 31 Aug 2026, marking a significant enhancement of the Navy’s deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Senior naval officers, representatives from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, veterans, distinguished guests and families of the commissioning crew were also in attendance.

Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, INS Nipun is a significant addition to the Indian Navy’s specialist underwater capability. Her induction demonstrates India’s growing capability to design and build technologically complex specialist naval platforms and is another significant step towards Aatmanirbharta in defence shipbuilding. It also reflects the contribution of Indian shipyards, domestic industry and associated agencies towards strengthening the Navy’s indigenous capability.

INS Nipun is a purpose-built platform designed primarily for deep-sea diving and underwater operations. The ship is capable of supporting saturation, air and heliox diving and is equipped with remotely operated underwater systems for inspection and intervention. Her specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning capability and associated life-support and medical facilities enable sustained and complex operations at sea.

INS Nipun is also capable of supporting submarine rescue operations, significantly strengthening the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to underwater contingencies. Along with her sister ship INS Nistar, the ship substantially enhances the Navy’s specialist capability in diving, underwater intervention, salvage and submarine rescue.

The ship’s crest and motto embody the spirit of her specialised role and the men who venture into the depths. The motto, ‘Far Beneath, Few Beyond’, reflects the resolve, skill and endurance required to operate in one of the most challenging domains of the maritime environment.

In his address, CNS stated that the induction of INS Nipun reflects the seamless synergy between the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited and the domestic industrial network. He further stated that proving the role-worthiness of all diving systems during sea trials in a single sortie stands as a testament to the nation’s technical confidence and engineering prowess.

CNS emphasised that combat readiness remains the Indian Navy’s highest priority amidst an increasingly contested maritime environment and growing threats to global maritime highways. He noted that, based on the West Coast under the Western Naval Command, INS Nipun will be a powerful addition to the specialised underwater capabilities required to sustain multi-domain operations.

The CNS highlighted that the niche capabilities of INS Nipun, available with only a handful of global navies, enable a swift response to distressed submarines of the Indian Navy as well as partner nations. This capability positions India as the ‘Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner’ in the region, while also providing specialised support for underwater salvage and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.

Addressing the commissioning crew, CNS stated that they inherit not just a sophisticated platform, but also the onerous responsibility to shape the ship’s soul and instil spirit into her steel. Exhorting the crew to live up to the ship’s motto of ‘Nischay, Nirbhay, Nipun’ (Resolve, Fearlessness and Professional Mastery), he urged them to remain anchored in 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 those who operate beneath the waves and contribute to safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

________________________________________________________________

VM/AS                                                                                                        158/26