Mumbai: The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, in a move aimed at strengthening the force’s deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities.
The Navy said the commissioning of the indigenous vessel marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, is presiding over the commissioning ceremony.
The Navy spokesperson said in a post on X: “Nipun is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy today, with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, presiding over the ceremony.
“The commissioning marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.”
Speaking to IANS about the vessel and its capabilities, INS Nipun’s Commanding Officer, Captain L.S. Subramanian, highlighted its high level of indigenous content and its specialised role in deep-diving and submarine rescue operations.
“It is one of the indigenous platforms with more than 75 per cent indigenous content. This ship is one of its kind in the Navy, built for deep-diving operations and submarine rescue capabilities,” Captain Subramanian said.
He explained that the equipment installed aboard the vessel has been designed to support specialised diving operations and enable the ship to function as a platform for submarine rescue systems.
“Whatever has been fitted is meant for undertaking saturation diving, and it will serve as a mothership for embarking submarine rescue systems,” he said.
Captain Subramanian also spoke about the vessel’s operational role when asked about its weapons and equipment.
“When you talk about weapons, divers are our weapon and our rescue system. This ship is one of its kind, wherein we operate primarily for deep-diving operations,” he said.
INS Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel constructed by HSL for the Indian Navy. The vessel has been designed to undertake specialised underwater operations, including deep-sea diving and underwater intervention, while providing a platform to deploy submarine rescue systems.
The induction of the vessel is expected to add to the Navy’s ability to respond to underwater emergencies and conduct complex diving missions in deeper waters. Its saturation-diving capability will allow trained divers to undertake prolonged underwater operations with the support of specialised equipment.
The commissioning also underlines the Navy’s focus on indigenous shipbuilding and development of specialised platforms for critical maritime missions. With more than 75 per cent indigenous content, INS Nipun reflects the growing role of domestic industry in building advanced platforms for the Indian Navy.
The vessel’s primary focus remains underwater intervention, deep-diving operations and submarine rescue, making its induction significant for enhancing the Navy’s specialised maritime support capabilities.
(IANS)
