The Indian Navy on Monday commissions INS Nipun, its second diving support vessel, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The commissioning is presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and marks the induction of a domestically built platform designed to support deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and salvage, with a specific focus on submarine rescue.
INS Nipun is built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited and comes after the arrival of its sister ship, INS Nistar, which joined the fleet last year. Multiple outlets describe the vessel as being capable of saturation, air and heliox diving in deep water, with a specialised diving complex and remotely operated underwater systems (ROVs) for monitoring and intervention. Reported capabilities include dynamic positioning and medical facilities for deep-diving emergencies, as well as the ability to embark and operate India’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).
Outlets broadly agree on the purpose and key features, while differing in emphasis. Some highlight that INS Nipun strengthens submarine rescue capacity for India and potentially partner navies, positioning India as a preferred regional submarine rescue partner. Others focus on the vessel’s role for the Western Naval Command and on broader regional support such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. One report also notes delivery timing in 2026 and frames the commissioning as part of India’s indigenous shipbuilding push.
