INS Nipun Joins Indian Navy: Key Features of the New Deep-Sea Diving Vessel

Why in News?

The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Nipun, its second indigenous Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

Key Points

INS Nipun will strengthen the Navy's deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities, particularly on India's western coast.

What is INS Nipun?

• INS Nipun is a specialised Diving Support Vessel (DSV) designed to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations.
• It is the second vessel of the Nistar class, following its sister ship INS Nistar, which serves with the Eastern Naval Command.
• The word "Nipun" comes from Sanskrit and means skilled, proficient or adept.

Built in India

• INS Nipun was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
• The contract for INS Nistar and INS Nipun was signed in September 2018 for around ₹2,393 crore.
• INS Nipun was handed over to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026 after completing sea trials.
• The vessel has nearly 75% indigenous content, strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat and India's indigenous defence shipbuilding capability.

Key Features of INS Nipun

• INS Nipun is approximately 118 metres long and has a displacement of more than 8,500 tonnes.
• Its major capabilities include:
  • Saturation diving operations up to 300 metres depth
  • Side-stage diving operations up to 75 metres depth
  • Support for submarine rescue operations
  • Inspection, maintenance and repair of underwater infrastructure
  • Support for work on subsea cables and pipelines
  • Advanced medical facilities for diving-related emergencies

These capabilities allow naval divers to undertake complex operations at considerable depths for extended periods.

What is Saturation Diving?

• Saturation diving is a specialised technique that allows divers to live and work under high-pressure conditions for long periods while conducting operations at great depths.
• It reduces the need for repeated decompression and enables prolonged underwater work, making it useful for deep-sea repair, inspection and rescue missions.
• INS Nipun can support saturation diving operations at depths of up to 300 metres.

Role in Submarine Rescue

• INS Nipun acts as a mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs).
• DSRV is a specialised underwater vehicle used to rescue sailors trapped in a disabled or distressed submarine.
• It can descend to the submarine, connect with its escape hatch and evacuate the crew safely.
• INS Nipun provides the platform, equipment and support required for submarine rescue operations in deep waters.

INS Nipun and INS Nistar

• INS Nistar supports deep-sea and submarine rescue operations on the eastern seaboard, while INS Nipun strengthens capability on the western seaboard.
• Together, the two Nistar-class Diving Support Vessels provide the Indian Navy with two-coast submarine rescue and deep-sea intervention capability.
• This enables a faster response to underwater emergencies across India’s maritime region.

Why is INS Nipun Important?

INS Nipun is important for the Indian Navy because it:

• Strengthens India's submarine rescue capability
• Enhances deep-sea diving and underwater intervention
• Provides support for underwater inspection and repair
• Improves operational readiness on India's western coast
• Strengthens India's maritime security architecture
• Promotes indigenous defence shipbuilding
• Supports India's goal of becoming more self-reliant in advanced naval technology

Strategic Significance 

• INS Nipun strengthens the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue, deep-sea intervention and underwater operational capabilities in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region.
• It improves India’s underwater preparedness and maritime security, especially as the Navy’s submarine operations expand.
• The vessel also provides specialised medical support for diving and submarine-rescue emergencies.
• It is equipped with an 8-bed hospital, ICU, operating theatre and hyperbaric medical facilities.
• Hyperbaric facilities help treat divers affected by pressure-related medical conditions during deep-sea operations.

Conclusion

The commissioning of INS Nipun strengthens the Indian Navy’s deep-sea diving, submarine rescue and underwater intervention capabilities. Along with INS Nistar, it enhances operational readiness across both seaboards while promoting self-reliance in indigenous defence shipbuilding.

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