India’s indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, has arrived in Singapore to participate in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR25), a prestigious multinational submarine rescue exercise. Commissioned on July 18, 2025, INS Nistar underscores India’s growing maritime capabilities, self-reliance in shipbuilding, and commitment to the safety of submariners worldwide.
Speaking to ANI, Commanding Officer Commodore Amitsubhro Banerji highlighted the vessel’s dual roles: conducting deep-sea diving operations and serving as a mothership for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). “INS Nistar is designed to carry out deep-sea diving operations and act as a mothership for the DSRV to execute submarine rescue missions,” he said.
Built at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, INS Nistar is the first of its class of two diving support vessels. The ship measures 120 meters in length, displaces 10,000 tons, and extends to 134 meters when the DSRV is onboard. It is equipped with Side Scan Sonar, work and observation-class ROVs, and advanced deep-sea diving systems, reflecting over 80% indigenisation in line with India’s Aatmanirbharta vision.
Captain Vikas Gautam, Officer-in-Charge of the Submarine Rescue Unit East (SRU-E) of the Eastern Naval Command, emphasised the pride in participating in XPR25. “This exercise is globally recognised as the most comprehensive collaboration dedicated to submarine rescue. Our participation reflects India’s enduring commitment to safeguard submariners, not just of our Navy but also from other navies worldwide,” he said.
Exercise Pacific Reach 2025, hosted by Singapore, has drawn participation from over 40 nations, either as active participants or observers. The exercise is being conducted in two phases:
- Harbour Phase (September 15–21): Includes in-depth discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), medical symposiums, and cross-deck visits among participating navies.
- Sea Phase (September 21–29): Will see INS Nistar and SRU-E carrying out multiple intervention and rescue operations in the South China Sea, demonstrating operational readiness, coordination, and international collaboration in submarine rescue.
INS Nistar’s maiden port call at Changi, Singapore, and its role in XPR25 highlight India’s growing expertise in submarine safety, advanced naval technology, and international maritime cooperation. The exercise provides an opportunity for the Indian Navy to showcase its capabilities and strengthen ties with navies around the world while contributing to global maritime security.
