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The Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026, the second vessel in the Mahe-class after INS Nistar, built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited at Visakhapatnam.
Nipun measures 118 metres, displaces over 8,560 tonnes, and carries deep-sea saturation diving systems, ROVs, and dynamic positioning systems, with indigenous content of 75-80%.
It serves as a mother ship for the Navy's Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), supporting submarine rescue, underwater salvage, and search-and-rescue missions with 60-day operational endurance.
'Nipun' is Sanskrit for 'adept, capable, well-versed' — the vessel reduces India's dependence on foreign rescue vessels for submarine emergencies across the Indo-Pacific.
Nipun serves as the primary host platform to launch, track, and recover the Navy's DSRVs — used to evacuate personnel from a disabled submarine — enabling India to conduct independent submarine rescue operations without relying on foreign assistance.
Simple Analogy: Like an aircraft carrier for a rescue submarine, providing the launch pad, control, and support the mini-rescue-sub needs.
Defence GK > Naval Platforms
GS Paper III > Defence Indigenisation
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, used to evacuate personnel from a disabled submarine