VISAKHAPATNAM : India’s underwater strategic capability and maritime preparedness received a significant boost with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) delivering ‘Nipun‘, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV), to the Indian Navy.
The delivery marks another major milestone in India’s indigenous defence shipbuilding programme and comes just a year after the successful delivery of INS Nistar, reaffirming HSL’s capability to design and construct technologically advanced strategic naval platforms of national importance.
The Acceptance Document (D448) was formally signed by Rear Admiral Arvind Rawal, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Western Naval Command and Chairman, D448 Committee, and Rear Admiral Chandrasekhar Raghuram, VSM (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Shipyard Limited, signifying the successful transfer of the vessel to the Indian Navy.
Measuring 118 metres in length and displacing more than 8,560 tonnes, Nipun has been built with over 80 per cent indigenous content, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in advanced defence shipbuilding under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The state-of-the-art vessel is equipped with advanced capabilities including Dynamic Positioning, Saturation Diving Systems, Submarine Rescue, and Deep-Sea Intervention Systems, enabling it to undertake complex underwater operations, rescue missions, and critical support for submarine operations. These capabilities will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s underwater operational readiness and strategic reach.
The successful delivery of Nipun underscores Hindustan Shipyard Limited’s growing expertise in executing complex naval shipbuilding projects and reinforces India’s emergence as a capable indigenous builder of sophisticated defence platforms.
As a vital addition to the Indian Navy’s fleet, Nipun represents the shared commitment of the Government of India, the Indian Navy, and Hindustan Shipyard Limited towards strengthening national maritime security, advancing indigenous defence manufacturing, and building a self-reliant maritime defence ecosystem.
