The Ministry of Defence handed over the second indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV) named ‘Nipun’ to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026 at Visakhapatnam. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the vessel follows the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Key Developments
- Delivery of ‘Nipun’, the second indigenous DSV, marking progress in self‑reliant shipbuilding.
- Equipped for Deep Sea Saturation Diving and rescue missions.
- Incorporates a side diving stage, advanced dive equipment, and ROVs for diver monitoring and salvage.
- Will serve as the mother ship for a Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), enhancing submarine rescue capability.
- Achieves nearly 75 % indigenous content, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Important Facts
The vessel’s name, ‘Nipun’, is derived from Sanskrit meaning ‘adept’ or ‘capable’. Its design enables operations in deep‑sea environments, where conventional ships cannot function effectively. The inclusion of ROVs allows remote monitoring, reducing risk to divers during complex salvage tasks. As a mother ship for the DSRV, ‘Nipun’ can quickly deploy rescue assets in case of a submarine emergency, a critical capability for a navy operating multiple submarines.
Exam Relevance
Understanding indigenous defence production is essential for GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Defence & Security). The project illustrates the implementation of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat policy in the maritime sector. It also highlights the role of public sector undertakings like Hindustan Shipyard Limited in achieving strategic autonomy.
Way Forward
Future steps include commissioning the vessel into active service, conducting sea‑trials for saturation diving, and integrating it with the navy’s submarine rescue doctrine. Continued emphasis on indigenous content will reduce reliance on imports and foster technological self‑sufficiency. Monitoring the operational performance of ‘Nipun’ will guide further enhancements in deep‑sea rescue and salvage capabilities.