Indian Navy is all set to commission the first of the class Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nistar at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on July 18, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to an official statement. The event marks the formal induction of the ship, which has been indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam. On commissioning, the ship will join the Eastern Naval Command to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations, as per the release.
According to an official statement, the ship is a testament to the Government of India’s resolute focus on nation-building through self-reliance in defence production and unwavering focus on Aatmanirbharta. A total of 120 MSMEs have participated in the construction of this ambitious, unique and state-of-the-art vessel, achieving more than 80 per cent indigenous content.
The project is a step towards realising the Indian Navy’s vision of designing and constructing complex indigenous platforms. In her earlier avatar, ex-Nistar was a submarine rescue vessel which was acquired by the Indian Navy from the erstwhile USSR in 1969 and commissioned in 1971. In two decades of service, she had significantly contributed towards the Indian Navy’s diving and submarine rescue operations.
With the commissioning of this ship, the legacy of ex-Nistar continues onwards, with her motto ‘Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam’ translating to ‘Deliverance with Precision and Bravery’, aptly reflecting the main roles of the ship. According to the statement, with a length of approx 120 meters and displacing more than 10,00 tons, the DSV has the capacity to maintain its position with extreme accuracy, using a Dynamic Positioning System.
The expansive diving complex onboard, which consists of both Air and Saturation Diving Systems, along with underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Side Scan SONAR, substantially enhances the operational envelope of the vessel. As the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DRV), the induction of this platform would provide a major capability enhancement to the Indian Navy’s Submarine rescue preparedness.
The ship is also outfitted with an Operating Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Eight-Bed Hospital, and Hyperbaric Medical Facilities, which are critical to meeting her operational roles. As per the release, endurance of over 60 days at sea, capacity to undertake stages through helicopter operations, and a 15-ton subsea crane make the ship a very versatile platform.
The commissioning of Nistar and its induction into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command will not only enhance India’s operational preparedness in the underwater domain but will also reinforce its strategic maritime posture across the Indian Ocean Region. The ship’s motto, ‘Deliverance with Precision and Bravery’, truly embodies its role and capabilities. In unison, these elements represent the diving and submarine rescue roles of Nistar.
