Indian Navy Commissions Nistar A Major Milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat

In a remarkable achievement for India’s defence and shipbuilding sector, the Indian Navy has commissioned Nistar, the first of the two Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) indigenously designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL). The commissioning ceremony, held in Visakhapatnam, was graced by the Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Sanjay Seth, marking yet another significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime capabilities under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The commissioning of Nistar is not just about adding another ship to the Navy’s fleet; it represents India’s growing expertise in building technologically advanced and highly specialised naval platforms. Designed to meet international standards, Nistar has been developed with the active participation of 120 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), showcasing the strong involvement of India’s domestic industries in defence production. With over 80% indigenous content, the vessel stands as a true symbol of India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Nistar has been built to perform some of the most critical underwater operations that require precision and advanced technology. Its primary role will be to undertake deep-sea diving operations and conduct rescue missions for submarines in distress. This capability is crucial for the Navy, as it ensures rapid response in case of submarine emergencies, thereby enhancing the safety of naval personnel during undersea missions. The vessel is equipped with a specialised diving complex that extends across multiple decks, designed to support a wide range of diving and saturation operations. The state-of-the-art systems installed onboard make it possible for divers to operate in extreme underwater conditions, ensuring that the Indian Navy can carry out complex missions at significant depths with efficiency and safety.

The incorporation of advanced systems required for saturation diving is one of Nistar’s most notable features. Saturation diving allows divers to live and work under pressure for extended periods, enabling them to operate at great depths for longer durations without the risks associated with repeated decompression. This technology is essential for submarine rescue operations, underwater repairs, and salvage missions, making Nistar a critical asset for the Navy’s underwater operations.

The vessel is also a significant step towards India achieving self-sufficiency in building complex and sophisticated ships. Previously, such highly specialised Diving Support Vessels had to be imported or built with extensive foreign collaboration. With Nistar, India has demonstrated that it can design and construct vessels of this complexity, which are at par with international standards. This achievement highlights the progress of India’s shipbuilding industry and reflects the growing capabilities of Hindustan Shipyard Limited as a premier defence shipbuilder.

The participation of MSMEs in Nistar’s construction is another significant achievement. By involving 120 MSMEs in manufacturing critical components and systems, this project has not only contributed to the growth of domestic industries but also created opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises to be part of India’s defence ecosystem. This aligns perfectly with the government’s vision of promoting Make in India and empowering local industries to play a significant role in the nation’s defence manufacturing sector.

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The commissioning of Nistar comes at a time when India is increasingly focusing on strengthening its naval power to secure its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With the strategic importance of the IOR growing every year, having advanced vessels like Nistar ensures that the Indian Navy is well-equipped to respond to emergencies, conduct rescue missions, and carry out specialised underwater operations.

Overall, Nistar is not just a ship; it is a statement of India’s technological progress, industrial capabilities, and strategic preparedness. It highlights how India is moving towards self-reliance in defence production while maintaining international standards in quality and performance. The successful induction of this Diving Support Vessel reaffirms the Indian Navy’s commitment to maintaining operational readiness and reflects the country’s determination to achieve self-sufficiency in building world-class naval assets. The commissioning of Nistar is, therefore, a proud moment for the entire nation and a significant boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.