The second indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nipun of the Indian Navy is likely to be commissioned in Mumbai by end August to boost its deep-sea diving, submarine rescue and underwater salvage operations. The ship was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) and was formally handed over to the Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026.
Nipun is primarily intended to support special underwater missions requiring sustained operations at considerable depths. It does deep sea diving, underwater search and rescue, and salvage of naval assets. This makes the vessel especially important for submarine operations, where timely rescue and recovery can be critical in an emergency situation.
One of the key features of Nipun is its advanced diving equipment. The ship is also fitted out for deep sea saturation diving, enabling divers to work underwater for extended periods, and a side diving stage. It also has Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that can be used for underwater surveillance, diver support and salvage missions where conventional diving may be difficult or dangerous.
The vessel will also strengthen India’s submarine rescue architecture. Nipun can function as a ‘mother ship for the Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV)’, providing the platform and support infrastructure required to facilitate the rapid evacuation of submariners during an underwater emergency. Its induction therefore adds another layer to the Navy’s ability to respond to accidents involving submarines and other submerged assets.
Nipun is also significant from the perspective of India’s defence indigenisation drive. The vessel has approximately 75 per cent indigenous content and has been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping. Its construction by HSL represents the growing ability of Indian shipyards to produce specialised naval platforms rather than focusing solely on conventional warships.
Its commissioning will further expand a busy year for indigenous naval induction. Nipun is expected to become the eighth indigenous naval platform inducted by the Indian Navy in 2026, following platforms including INS Anjadip, INS Taragiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, INS Agray, INS Mahendragiri and INS Malvan.
The induction of Nipun consequently goes beyond adding another support ship to the fleet. It strengthens India’s underwater search-and-rescue, deep-sea diving and salvage ecosystem while improving operational preparedness for submarine contingencies. At the same time, it underlines the Navy’s expanding reliance on domestically designed and constructed specialised platforms as India seeks greater self-reliance in defence production.