The Indian Navy has significantly strengthened its maritime capabilities with the delivery of the indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), ‘Nipun’. Constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, the vessel represents a major milestone in India’s defense self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, featuring roughly 75% indigenous content.
Designed in accordance with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, ‘Nipun’—whose Sanskrit name translates to “expert or capable”—is equipped with state-of-the-art diving equipment and deep-sea saturation diving capabilities. It also features advanced Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and a side diving stage to execute complex underwater operations and salvage missions effectively. The newly inducted vessel will serve as a vital “mother ship” for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRVs), ensuring rapid and secure rescue operations for personnel during submarine emergencies.
