July 18, 2025, marked a watershed moment in India’s naval capabilities as the Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Nistar, the nation’s first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This milestone places India in an exclusive club of nations possessing advanced submarine rescue and deep-sea diving capabilities, fundamentally transforming the country’s underwater operational readiness and strategic maritime posture.
The Exclusive Circle of Deep-Sea Prowess
The commissioning of INS Nistar propels India into an elite group of nations with sophisticated submarine rescue capabilities. Of the approximately 40 countries worldwide that operate submarines, only a handful possess the advanced infrastructure necessary to deploy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs). These nations include the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and now India.
The exclusivity of this capability cannot be overstated. The United States Navy operates the world’s most comprehensive submarine rescue system, capable of reaching depths of 2,000 feet and deploying worldwide within 96 hours. China has developed significant capabilities with its Type 926 submarine support ships, carrying both indigenous Type 7103 DSRVs and British-supplied LR7 rescue vehicles. Russia maintains multiple rescue systems, including the Bester-class and Priz-class vessels.
Global Capabilities and Collaboration
Europe presents a unique model of cooperation through the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS), a tri-national project shared by France, Norway, and the United Kingdom. This system demonstrates how nations can pool resources to achieve advanced submarine rescue capabilities. Italy operates the Anteo with its SRV-300 submersible, whilst Sweden maintains the submarine rescue ship HSwMS Belos.
In the Indo-Pacific region, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force operates two DSRVs with dedicated mother ships. South Korea has recently enhanced its capabilities with the commissioning of the Ganghwado, a 5,600-ton rescue vessel. Singapore operates the MV Swift Rescue, launched in 2008 as the first submarine rescue capability in Southeast Asia.
What are the Strategic Implications for India?
INS Nistar’s commissioning represents more than a mere addition to India’s naval fleet; it signifies a fundamental shift in the country’s underwater warfare capabilities and regional influence. The 118-metre, 10,000-tonne vessel is equipped with cutting-edge diving equipment capable of conducting deep-sea saturation diving operations to depths of 300 metres. Its ability to serve as a mother ship for India’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle whilst operating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to depths of 1,000 metres places it amongst the most sophisticated platforms globally.
The vessel’s operational capabilities extend beyond rescue missions. INS Nistar’s onboard medical facilities include an operation theatre, intensive care unit, eight-bed hospital, and hyperbaric medical facilities – infrastructure that positions it as a comprehensive underwater support platform. With an endurance of over 60 days at sea and helicopter operations capability, the vessel provides India with unprecedented flexibility in extended underwater operations.
How it Helps with Regional Maritime Diplomacy
India’s advancement in submarine rescue capabilities has already begun reshaping regional maritime diplomacy. The Indian Navy has proactively offered its submarine rescue services to friendly nations, signing implementing agreements with Singapore and exploring partnerships with South Africa and Japan. This approach positions India as a regional leader in underwater safety and rescue operations.
During the 2021 Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala incident, India demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation by mobilising its DSRV to assist in rescue efforts. Such rapid response capabilities enhance India’s soft power projection and establish it as a reliable partner in maritime emergencies across the Indian Ocean Region.
Technological Sovereignty and Industrial Capability
The indigenisation aspect of INS Nistar cannot be overlooked. With approximately 75% indigenous content and collaboration with over 120 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the vessel represents a significant achievement in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. This technological sovereignty reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and demonstrates India’s capacity to design and build complex naval platforms.
The vessel’s construction by Hindustan Shipyard Limited showcases India’s shipbuilding capabilities, particularly in specialised naval platforms. The ability to indigenously develop such sophisticated systems places India amongst nations with advanced maritime technology sectors, contributing to the broader “Make in India” initiative.
What are the Future Implications and Strategic Outlook?
INS Nistar’s commissioning positions India advantageously for future underwater operations in an increasingly contested maritime environment. As submarine operations by various military powers continue to expand in the Indian Ocean, India’s enhanced rescue capabilities provide both defensive and diplomatic advantages. The vessel’s ability to support sustained patrolling, search and rescue operations, and humanitarian assistance missions extends India’s maritime reach significantly.
The commissioning of INS Nistar, combined with the upcoming second vessel of the Nistar class, creates a comprehensive underwater support infrastructure. This capability enhancement arrives at a crucial time as India seeks to strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific region and respond to evolving maritime security challenges.
INS Nistar represents more than technological advancement; it embodies India’s emergence as a significant maritime power with indigenous capabilities rivalling established naval forces. As the vessel joins the Eastern Naval Command, it not only enhances India’s operational preparedness but also reinforces its commitment to maritime safety and international cooperation in the world’s most strategically important waters.
The commissioning of INS Nistar marks India’s definitive entry into the exclusive club of nations with advanced diving support capabilities, fundamentally altering the submarine rescue landscape in the Indian Ocean and establishing India as a key player in underwater operations globally.