The Indian Navy recently commissioned its newest submarine rescue ship, INS Nipun, during a ceremony held in Mumbai. This vessel is the second of two long-endurance Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSVs) intended primarily for the rescue of personnel from distressed submarines. Its sister ship, INS Nistar, was delivered to the navy in 2025.
INS Nipun's operational duties extend beyond submarine rescue to include a range of secondary functions. These encompass general patrols, broader search and rescue missions, salvage operations, underwater inspections, and non-combatant evacuation operations, according to Baird Maritime.
The vessel measures 118.4 metres in length with a beam of 22.8 metres and has a displacement of 9,350 tonnes. Powered by two diesel engines, it can achieve a cruising speed of 14 knots and boasts an endurance of 60 days, as reported by Baird Maritime.
Equipped for advanced underwater operations, INS Nipun features space for a deployable submersible deep sea rescue vehicle and remotely operated vehicles. These are used for diver monitoring and salvage. The ship is also capable of conducting deep sea saturation diving to depths of up to 300 metres.
Further supporting its diving capabilities, the vessel includes a side diving stage for operations up to 75 metres. A 15-tonne crane is installed for retrieving underwater debris. Diving operations are facilitated by a six-person decompression chamber, a diving bell, a moonpool, and a self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat.
For aerial support, a flight deck is positioned forward of the superstructure, capable of accommodating a 15-tonne helicopter. Hindustan Shipyard was responsible for the construction of INS Nipun, according to the source publication.
