The Indian Navy is preparing to commission Nipun, a specialised Diving Support Vessel (DSV) that will add a new layer to India’s underwater rescue and deep-sea operational capabilities. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), the vessel was delivered to the Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026, and is expected to be commissioned in Mumbai by late August or early September.
A key highlight of Nipun’s induction is its place in India’s indigenous naval expansion. The vessel is set to become the eighth indigenous naval platform inducted by the Indian Navy in 2026, underlining the growing pace of domestic warship and specialised naval vessel construction.
Nipun has been developed specifically for missions that demand specialised underwater equipment and trained personnel. Its primary tasks will include deep-sea diving, underwater rescue, search and recovery, salvage and support for submarine-related emergencies. These capabilities are increasingly important as the Indian Navy expands its underwater fleet and maintains a wider operational presence across the Indian Ocean Region.
The vessel has been constructed by HSL in accordance with the classification requirements of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Nearly 75 per cent of Nipun’s content is indigenous, reflecting the increasing involvement of Indian industry in the development of sophisticated naval platforms.
One of the vessel’s most important capabilities is its support for the Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV). Nipun can serve as a mother ship for the DSRV, providing the platform needed to deploy and support rescue operations when a submarine suffers an underwater emergency.
This capability is particularly significant because submarine rescue requires specialised infrastructure capable of operating in challenging underwater conditions. A dedicated DSV can bring together diving teams, rescue equipment and remotely operated systems in a single platform, enabling the Navy to respond more effectively to underwater incidents.
Nipun is equipped with systems for deep-sea saturation diving, allowing specialist divers to undertake prolonged underwater missions. It also features a side diving stage and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that can support underwater inspection, diver monitoring and salvage operations.
The vessel is the second DSV built by HSL for the Indian Navy, following INS Nistar, which entered service in 2025. The addition of Nipun will give the Navy another dedicated platform for underwater rescue and diving support rather than relying on conventional surface ships for such specialised missions.
The induction also reflects the expansion of India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities beyond conventional combat vessels. Specialised ships such as Nipun require different engineering expertise because their missions involve deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue.
For the Indian Navy, the vessel will provide an important combination of rescue, diving and salvage capabilities. It can be employed during peacetime for underwater search, recovery and support missions while also providing critical assistance during submarine emergencies.
The delivery of Nipun comes as the Navy continues to increase the proportion of domestically constructed platforms in its fleet. Its approximately 75 per cent indigenous content is another indication of the progress being made towards greater self-reliance in specialised defence manufacturing.
With its commissioning approaching, Nipun is poised to become a key specialist asset for the Indian Navy’s underwater operations. Its entry into service as the eighth indigenous naval platform of 2026 will simultaneously strengthen submarine rescue preparedness and demonstrate India’s growing ability to build advanced maritime support vessels within the country.
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