The Indian Navy achieved another significant milestone in its indigenous shipbuilding programme with the delivery of ‘Nipun’, the second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) at Visakhapatnam on 30 July 2026. The induction of the highly specialised vessel marks a major enhancement of the Navy’s deep-sea diving, underwater rescue and submarine support capabilities while reinforcing the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, ‘Nipun’ has been designed and constructed in accordance with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), reflecting India’s growing expertise in designing and building sophisticated naval support vessels. With nearly 75 per cent indigenous content, the vessel represents another important achievement in the country’s drive towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing and advanced naval shipbuilding.
The name ‘Nipun’ is derived from Sanskrit and signifies “one who is adept, capable and well versed in a particular discipline.” Living up to its name, the vessel has been specifically designed to undertake complex deep-sea diving operations, underwater salvage missions and maritime rescue tasks that require specialised equipment and highly trained personnel.
Diving Support Vessels play a critical role in modern naval operations by enabling underwater maintenance, inspection, repair, salvage and rescue missions. These specialised ships support divers operating at significant depths and provide essential capabilities for recovering submerged equipment, conducting underwater engineering tasks and assisting vessels involved in maritime incidents.
‘Nipun’ is equipped with state-of-the-art diving equipment that enables it to conduct Deep Sea Saturation Diving, one of the most advanced forms of underwater diving. Saturation diving allows professional divers to remain under pressure for extended durations while operating at considerable depths, significantly increasing operational efficiency for prolonged underwater missions. The vessel also features a dedicated side diving stage to facilitate safe and efficient deployment of divers during specialised operations.
Further enhancing its operational capability, the vessel is equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that provide advanced underwater surveillance, diver monitoring and salvage support. These unmanned underwater systems enable operators to inspect submerged structures, assess underwater conditions and support complex recovery missions in environments where direct diver access may be difficult or hazardous.
One of the most significant capabilities of ‘Nipun’ is its role as the Mother Ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV). In the event of a submarine emergency, the DSV will serve as the launch and support platform for the DSRV, which is designed to rescue personnel trapped inside disabled submarines on the seabed. This capability significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue preparedness and ensures a rapid response during underwater emergencies.
The induction of ‘Nipun’ substantially strengthens the Indian Navy’s ability to undertake specialised operations in the niche domain of deep-sea diving and underwater rescue. Such capabilities are becoming increasingly important as the Navy expands its underwater fleet and operational footprint across the Indian Ocean Region. Dedicated Diving Support Vessels also play an essential role in supporting submarine operations, underwater infrastructure maintenance, hydrographic tasks and disaster response missions.
The delivery of the vessel also underscores the continued progress of India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding ecosystem. Hindustan Shipyard Limited has steadily expanded its capabilities in designing and constructing specialised naval platforms, contributing to the country’s long-term objective of achieving self-reliance in defence production. The successful construction of ‘Nipun’ demonstrates the growing maturity of India’s defence industrial base and its ability to deliver technologically advanced support vessels for the armed forces.
The Indian Navy has consistently prioritised indigenous procurement as part of its force modernisation programme. Today, the majority of ships under construction for the Navy are being built in Indian shipyards, reflecting the transformation of India’s maritime industrial capabilities over the past decade.
With the delivery of ‘Nipun’, the Indian Navy has taken another significant step towards enhancing its underwater operational capabilities while further strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing. Equipped with advanced diving systems, remotely operated vehicles and submarine rescue support facilities, the vessel will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of submariners, supporting deep-sea operations and reinforcing the Navy’s ability to undertake complex underwater missions in support of national maritime security.
