Deep-sea diving to submarine rescue: What INS Nipun brings to Indian Navy

The Indian Navy, on Monday, commissioned INS Nipun, a specialised vessel designed to support sustained and complex operations at sea, as part of the efforts to strengthen its capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue. INS Nipun, which is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

The ship's specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning capability, life-support systems and medical facilities allow it to support demanding underwater missions for extended periods at sea, a defence ministry release stated.

Its induction assumes significance as the Indian Navy places greater emphasis on combat readiness amid what Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan described as 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 provide specialised underwater capabilities required to sustain multi-domain operations.

INS Nipun has been purpose-built for deep-sea diving and underwater operations. The vessel can support saturation, air and heliox diving. It is also equipped with remotely operated underwater systems that can be used for inspection and intervention.

These capabilities are supported by a specialised diving complex aboard the vessel. Its dynamic positioning capability allows the ship to support complex operations at sea, while its life-support and medical facilities provide the infrastructure required for sustained missions.

The ship can also undertake underwater intervention and salvage operations.

Admiral Swaminathan said all the diving systems aboard INS Nipun proved their role-worthiness during sea trials in a single sortie, describing this as a demonstration of India's technical confidence and engineering capabilities.

INS Nipun will also play a major role in supporting submarine rescue operations. According to the Navy chief, the ship possesses niche capabilities available with only a handful of navies globally. These capabilities enable a swift response to distressed submarines of both the Indian Navy and partner nations.

The Navy said this strengthens India's position as the "Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner" in the region.

Together with sister ship INS Nistar, INS Nipun substantially expands the Navy's specialist capabilities across deep-sea diving, underwater intervention, salvage and submarine rescue.

The vessel can also provide specialised support during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by the Navy chief and attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, along with senior naval officers, HSL representatives, veterans, guests and families of the commissioning crew.

INS Nipun carries the motto "Far Beneath, Few Beyond", reflecting the skill and endurance required for operations deep beneath the sea.