The Indian Navy has taken delivery of INS Nipun, its second Diving Support Vessel developed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, marking another significant milestone in India's efforts to strengthen its maritime capabilities. The induction comes within a year of the delivery of INS Nistar, reflecting the country's continued focus on modernising naval infrastructure and expanding indigenous defence production.
INS Nipun has been designed to support a wide range of underwater operations, including deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, salvage missions, and emergency maritime assistance. The vessel is expected to significantly improve the Indian Navy's ability to respond to underwater emergencies while supporting operational readiness across the country's maritime zones.
Diving Support Vessels are specialised naval platforms equipped with advanced systems for underwater intervention. They play a critical role in assisting submarines in distress, conducting complex diving missions, recovering underwater equipment, and supporting rescue operations in challenging sea conditions. Such vessels are considered essential assets for navies operating submarine fleets.
The induction of INS Nipun further strengthens India's underwater rescue capabilities by providing additional operational flexibility. With two modern Diving Support Vessels now available, the Indian Navy can enhance its preparedness for emergencies while maintaining continuous support for underwater missions across different regions.
One of the primary functions of INS Nipun is to assist in submarine rescue operations. In the event of an underwater emergency involving a submarine, the vessel can deploy specialised diving teams and advanced rescue equipment to support personnel and coordinate recovery efforts. These capabilities contribute to improving crew safety and operational resilience.
Apart from rescue missions, INS Nipun will also be used for underwater engineering tasks, maintenance support, inspection of naval infrastructure, salvage operations, and scientific diving activities. The vessel is equipped to operate in demanding maritime environments, allowing the Navy to undertake missions requiring precision and technical expertise beneath the sea.
The project also highlights India's growing emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing. INS Nipun has been built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, one of the country's leading shipbuilding companies, under the Government of India's vision of promoting self-reliance in the defence sector. Indigenous construction of advanced naval platforms helps reduce dependence on foreign suppliers while strengthening domestic industrial capabilities.
The Indian Navy has been steadily expanding its fleet through the induction of modern warships, submarines, surveillance systems, and support vessels. These additions form part of a long-term modernisation programme aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing maritime security, and protecting India's strategic interests across the Indian Ocean Region.
Defence experts believe that specialised support vessels such as INS Nipun are as important as frontline combat ships because they provide essential operational support during both peacetime and military missions. Their ability to conduct rescue, maintenance, and underwater intervention operations contributes significantly to the Navy's overall mission readiness.
The arrival of INS Nipun also reflects continued collaboration between the Indian Navy and India's domestic shipbuilding industry. Such projects strengthen the country's defence ecosystem while creating technological expertise in designing and constructing sophisticated naval platforms.
With INS Nipun joining the fleet alongside INS Nistar, the Indian Navy is expected to further enhance its capability to conduct safe, efficient, and technologically advanced underwater operations. The induction reinforces India's commitment to improving maritime preparedness and supporting a modern, capable, and self-reliant naval force.