---
title: "INS Nipun commissioned to boost India’s underwater capabilities"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/ins-nipun-underwater-capabilities-q1wa1
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Science & Technology
published: 2026-09-01T00:02:51.412Z
modified: 2026-09-01T02:30:08.148Z
language: en-IN
---

# INS Nipun commissioned to boost India’s underwater capabilities

India commissioned INS Nipun in Mumbai to enhance deep-sea diving and submarine rescue capabilities. The 9,000-tonne vessel is the second of its class and can embark the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel, supporting underwater operations and humanitarian missions.

## Key takeaways

- INS Nipun was commissioned in Mumbai with the Navy Chief in attendance, expanding India's underwater capabilities.
- The vessel is the second Diving Support Vessel of the Nistar Class and can embark the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel.
- Built domestically by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, it strengthens multi-domain underwater operations and humanitarian missions.

## What Happened

In Mumbai, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, a diving support vessel designed to bolster complex underwater operations. The ceremony occurred in the presence of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, alongside other senior officers. The ship is described as the second Diving Support Vessel of its class, following INS Nistar.

INS Nipun is indigenously built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam and is positioned to augment the Navy’s capabilities for deep-water diving, underwater intervention, salvage, and submarine rescue. The vessel can embark and operate the Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel when required, a capability highlighted as particularly important for submarine emergencies.

Officials note that INS Nipun strengthens the Navy’s niche underwater capabilities and can support operations at depths reaching up to 300 metres, with systems suitable for saturation, air, and heliox diving, along with remotely operated underwater vehicles and other specialized equipment. The vessel is also designed to support disaster relief and humanitarian missions, including underwater salvage tasks and multi-domain deepwater operations.

The commissioning underscored the vessel’s motto and its role within the Western Naval Command, where it will be integrated into operational plans to expand underwater response readiness and international maritime collaboration.

## Why It Matters

Swaminathan framed INS Nipun as a force multiplier for India’s underwater warfare and rescue capabilities, enabling faster response times in submarine emergencies and enhancing cooperation with partner navies through a trusted submarine rescue partner role in the region. The ship’s introduction aligns with a broader emphasis on maintaining credible, battle-ready capabilities in a contested maritime environment.

## Background

INS Nipun is the second indigenous DSV of the Nistar Class, following INS Nistar which joined the fleet previously. The vessel’s construction and deployment reflect ongoing domestic shipbuilding efforts to supply specialized platforms for the Navy. Its basing on the West Coast and its integration into the Western Naval Command position it to operate in its primary theatre of operations with a focus on underwater tasks and rescue missions.

## Key Facts

- INS Nipun was commissioned in Mumbai in the presence of the Navy Chief, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.

- It is the second Diving Support Vessel of the Nistar Class.

- The vessel is 9,000 tonnes and built indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam.

- Can support saturation, air and heliox diving and embark the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel for submarine rescue.

- Designed to assist underwater salvage, disaster relief, and humanitarian missions.

- Induction strengthens the Western Naval Command’s capabilities below, on, and above the waves.

- The vessel’s motto is “Far Beneath, Few Beyond.”

## What Happens Next

The Western Naval Command will integrate INS Nipun into operations, exercise its capabilities, and develop proficiency around its systems to ensure readiness for tasks at sea as needed.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/ins-nipun-underwater-capabilities-q1wa1
Reported from: Multiple Sources