New Delhi: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on Thursday delivered the diving support vessel (DSV) Nipun to the Indian Navy. This marks yet another milestone in India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme and strengthening the Navy’s underwater operational capabilities.
The delivery comes about a year after HSL handed over INS Nistar, another DSV, reflecting the public-sector shipbuilder’s growing role in developing specialized naval platforms under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The vessel was formally accepted by the Indian Navy after the signing of the Acceptance Document (D448) by Rear Admiral Arvind Rawal, VSM, chief staff officer (technical), Western Naval Command, who also chaired the D448 Committee, and Rear Admiral Chandrasekhar Raghuram, VSM (R), chairman and managing director of HSL.
Nipun is a 118-metre-long vessel with a displacement of more than 8,560 tonnes and an indigenous content exceeding 80%, highlighting India’s expanding domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
Designed as a specialized underwater operations platform, the ship is equipped with dynamic positioning systems, saturation diving facilities, submarine rescue equipment and deep-sea intervention capabilities. These systems will enable the Navy to undertake complex underwater missions, including submarine rescue, deep diving operations and underwater maintenance tasks.
The induction of Nipun is expected to enhance the Navy’s ability to support submarine operations and respond to underwater emergencies, while also improving its overall maritime readiness in the Indian Ocean region.
HSL said the delivery reflects the combined efforts of the government, the Indian Navy and the domestic shipbuilding industry to expand indigenous defence capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for strategic naval platforms.