The Indian Navy recently commissioned INS Nistar at Visakhapatnam. This indigenously designed and built diving support vessel (DSV) marks step in India’s underwater operational readiness. It is the first of two such vessels ordered in 2018. Its sister ship, INS Nipun, launched in 2022, will soon join the fleet. These vessels will boost India’s strategic maritime presence across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Background and Legacy
The original INS Nistar served from 1971 to 1989 as a Soviet-acquired submarine rescue vessel. It was central to India’s diving and rescue operations. The new INS Nistar continues this legacy but is vastly superior. Over 80% of its components are indigenous, involving about 120 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This makes it India’s first fully indigenously designed and constructed DSV.
Design and Capabilities
INS Nistar displaces around 10,500 tonnes. It measures nearly 120 metres in length with a beam over 20 metres. It can stay at sea for more than 60 days. The vessel includes advanced air and saturation diving systems, underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and side scan SONARs. It serves as the mothership for a deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) acquired from the UK. The ship also features a 15-tonne subsea crane and supports helicopter operations.
Medical and Operational Facilities
The ship has an onboard operation theatre and an intensive care unit. It includes an eight-bedded hospital with hyperbaric facilities essential for diving and rescue missions. These medical provisions ensure immediate care during underwater emergencies.
Strategic Importance
INS Nistar’s induction is a milestone for India’s deep-sea operational capability. With the Indian Navy expanding its submarine fleet, risks increase. Nistar provides a dedicated rescue platform to meet these challenges. It places India among 12 nations worldwide with such advanced submarine rescue technology. Unlike previous reliance on leased vessels, INS Nistar offers rapid deployment and round-the-clock readiness.
Deployment and Operational Coverage
Based in Visakhapatnam, INS Nistar will cover the Eastern Seaboard. INS Nipun, stationed in Mumbai, will cover the Western Seaboard. This dual-coast deployment ensures simultaneous rescue readiness on both maritime fronts. The vessels’ dynamic positioning systems enable autonomous operation in high seas, while their high transit speed reduces emergency response times.
International Cooperation and Soft Power
India has committed to sharing submarine rescue expertise through bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding with other navies. INS Nistar enhances India’s role as a credible first responder in underwater emergencies globally. This capability strengthens India’s maritime goodwill and aligns with shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific region. It also supports humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Technological and Industrial Impact
INS Nistar showcases the maturity of India’s maritime industrial base under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The involvement of MSMEs in its construction marks the growing domestic capability in complex naval platforms. This progress boosts India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and technology.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the strategic importance of indigenous defence manufacturing in enhancing India’s maritime security.
- Examine the role of submarine rescue vessels in naval operations. How do they contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief?
- Analyse the impact of India’s naval capabilities on regional security architecture in the Indian Ocean Region and its implications for global maritime governance.
- Estimate the challenges and opportunities in integrating advanced underwater technologies like remotely operated vehicles and deep submergence rescue vehicles in modern navies.
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