Hindustan Shipyard Limited has successfully delivered INS Nipun (A17), the second Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, to the Indian Navy under a contract signed in 2018. The delivery significantly strengthens India’s underwater rescue, submarine support, and deep-sea operational capabilities as the Navy continues expanding its submarine fleet and underwater mission requirements.Following keel laying in 2020 and launch in 2022, INS Nipun enters service with specialized capabilities supporting submarine rescue operations, underwater engineering, salvage missions, and unmanned underwater vehicle deployment. One of its primary responsibilities involves transporting and deploying Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles, enabling rapid response to submarine emergencies and improving crew survival prospects during underwater incidents.The 118-meter vessel incorporates twin diesel propulsion systems, advanced dynamic positioning technology, diver monitoring systems, specialized sonar for seabed mapping and debris detection, dedicated communication networks, and modern navigation equipment. Defensive systems include electronic warfare equipment, the Lynx-U2 fire control system, and AK-630 close-in weapon systems for self-protection.Operationally, INS Nipun can sustain missions lasting up to 60 days, achieve speeds of approximately 18 knots, support diver operations to depths of 300 meters, conduct side diving activities up to 75 meters, and remotely control underwater systems over distances reaching one kilometer. These capabilities make it a critical asset for India’s expanding underwater operational requirements.
