Indian Navy to induct Nipun on August 31: Meet the indigenously built vessel for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue

The Indian Navy is set to add a specialised new platform to its deep-sea fleet, with Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar-class, scheduled to be commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on August 31.

Built to support some of the Navy’s most specialised underwater missions, Nipun will strengthen capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue operations. Its induction will add to the Navy’s ability to sustain operations beneath the surface across India’s maritime areas of interest.

An indigenously built specialised vessel

Nipun has been designed and constructed indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, adding to India’s growing fleet of specialised naval vessels built within the country.


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The ship was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 30, 2026, after completing an extensive programme of outfitting and trials. Its commissioning on August 31 will mark its transition from construction and testing into operational service.

Built for deep-sea diving operations

At the heart of Nipun’s role is its ability to support diving operations in challenging conditions at sea.

The vessel is equipped with modern diving systems and underwater intervention capabilities, allowing it to provide sustained support to divers operating at sea. It also has specialised facilities for underwater intervention and medical support, enabling it to support different requirements associated with complex diving missions.

These capabilities are designed to allow the vessel to function as an integrated platform for operations beneath the surface.

Navigation and station-keeping systems

Nipun also incorporates modern systems for navigation and platform management, along with precise station-keeping capabilities.

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The ability to maintain its position accurately is particularly important during specialised underwater operations, where the vessel needs to provide sustained support to personnel working below the surface.

Combined with its diving, underwater intervention and medical facilities, these systems allow Nipun to support complex underwater missions from a single platform.

A role in submarine rescue

Submarine rescue will be another important area of Nipun’s role.

The vessel will augment the Indian Navy’s capability to support submarine rescue operations, adding another specialised platform for missions that require underwater intervention and diving expertise.

This capability will form part of the vessel’s broader role in supporting specialised underwater operations across India’s maritime areas of interest.

Another step for Indian shipbuilding

The commissioning of Nipun also highlights the expanding capabilities of India’s domestic shipbuilding sector.

Designed and constructed by HSL, the vessel represents India’s effort to build technologically advanced and specialised platforms for the Navy’s operational requirements. Its induction adds another indigenously built vessel to the Navy’s specialised fleet.

With Nipun moving into operational service, the Navy will gain a dedicated platform for deep-sea diving, underwater intervention, medical support and submarine rescue operations.

The story behind Nipun’s crest

Nipun’s crest reflects the vessel’s identity and its primary role as a Diving Support Vessel. It features a whale and a modern diving helmet, both representing different aspects of its underwater mission.

Why a whale?

The whale represents endurance, longevity and sustained operations at great depths.

Known for its ability to dive deep and remain submerged for extended periods, the whale reflects Nipun’s role in supporting prolonged diving operations in the challenging deep-sea environment.

What the diving helmet represents

The modern diving helmet represents the diver at the centre of Nipun’s mission.

It also signifies the advanced diving systems and life-support capabilities provided by the vessel, which enable divers to operate safely and effectively at great depths.

What the crest represents together

The whale and diving helmet together portray Nipun as a platform dedicated to taking the diver into the depths, sustaining the diver during underwater operations and bringing the diver back safely.

The crest also reflects the values associated with the ship’s role, including skill, endurance and professionalism.