The Ministry of Defence has formally inducted a new specialist warship into the Indian Navy. INS Nipun, a Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned on 31 August 2026 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The ship will strengthen India’s ability to conduct deep-sea diving operations, rescue submarines and handle underwater emergencies.
What INS Nipun does and where it fits
INS Nipun is the second vessel of the Nistar Class, built entirely by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam. The ship is built to handle several types of diving work: saturation diving, air diving and heliox diving. It carries remotely operated underwater systems for inspection and repair tasks.
Key capabilities include:
- Submarine rescue operations for distressed Indian Navy submarines and those of partner nations
- Underwater salvage and inspection work
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions involving underwater search or recovery
- Dynamic positioning technology that keeps the vessel stable during complex operations
- Medical facilities and life-support systems for sustained underwater work
The vessel will operate from India’s west coast under the Western Naval Command. According to the Navy Chief, only a handful of countries possess these specialist diving and rescue capabilities. India can now offer submarine rescue support to other nations in the region, positioning itself as a preferred partner for such operations.
What this means for you
INS Nipun strengthens India’s maritime security and disaster response capability. If a submarine faces emergency, this ship can respond quickly. The vessel also demonstrates Indian shipyards can design and build complex military platforms without dependence on foreign builders, a step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. For those interested in naval operations or maritime safety, the ship represents how India is building specialised capabilities to protect its ocean interests and help others in the region.