INS Nistar

The Nistar is India’s first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, marking a step forward in the country’s naval self-reliance.

Key Highlights of the Nistar:

1. Indigenous Design and Construction:

   • The Nistar is built according to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules and carries 75% indigenous content. This aligns perfectly with the Government of India’s vision for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and supports the Make in India initiative. It reflects India’s growing capabilities in designing and building advanced naval assets indigenously.

2. Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations:

   • The Nistar is designed to carry out deep-sea saturation diving operations, which is a highly specialized task that involves divers being exposed to high-pressure conditions for extended periods of time. The vessel can support diving operations up to 300 meters.

   • It also has the capacity to perform diving operations up to 75 meters using a side diving stage, making it versatile for different types of operations.

3. Submarine Rescue Capabilities:

   • The ship is equipped to act as the 'Mother Ship' for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), which is crucial in the event of a submarine emergency. In such situations, the Nistar can assist in evacuating personnel from a submerged submarine and ensure their safe return to the surface.

4. Advanced Equipment:

   • The vessel is outfitted with state-of-the-art diving equipment, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and other technologies to support diver monitoring and salvage operations at depths of up to 1000 meters.

   • This capability makes the Nistar an essential asset for both military and civilian deep-sea operations, including search-and-rescue missions and underwater salvage.

5. Strategic Importance:

   • The Nistar enhances the Indian Navy's ability to conduct high-level underwater rescue and recovery operations, which are vital for the safety of submarines and their crew during emergency situations.

   • It adds to the Navy’s fleet with highly specialized assets that can support both military and humanitarian operations, ensuring India’s readiness in challenging maritime scenarios.

6. Specifications:

• Displacement: Over 10,000 tonnes, making it a large and powerful vessel capable of handling challenging operations in harsh underwater conditions.

• Length: 120 meters, which gives it ample space for advanced equipment, personnel, and long-duration operations.

• Endurance: With a 60+ days at sea endurance, INS Nistar can remain operational for extended periods without needing to return to port, making it invaluable during prolonged underwater missions or disasters.

7. Advanced Capabilities:

• Dynamic Positioning System: The vessel is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS), which allows for precise maneuvering during complex diving, submarine rescue, and salvage operations, even in challenging underwater conditions.

• Diving and Rescue Systems:

  • Saturation diving systems for deep-sea missions.

  • Air diving chambers for diver safety and recovery.

  • Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Side Scan SONAR for underwater search and salvage.

  • Acts as the mother ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), extending its reach for submarine rescues.

• Medical Infrastructure:

  • The vessel is equipped with medical facilities, including an operation theatre, ICU, an 8-bed hospital, and hyperbaric chambers specifically designed for diver recovery and treatment after deep-sea operations.

8. Multi-Mission Support:

• Helicopter Landing Facility: This feature allows for easy access and rapid deployment of personnel, equipment, and supplies, expanding the vessel’s operational flexibility.

• 15-ton Subsea Crane: Used for logistics, salvage operations, and subsea construction, adding to the vessel's multi-functional capabilities.

Strategic Significance:

1. Enhancing India's Maritime Readiness:

   • INS Nistar strengthens India’s strategic readiness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), one of the most important and contested maritime zones globally. This vessel will be critical for maritime security, disaster response, and ensuring that the Indian Navy can respond effectively to any submarine-related emergencies or deep-sea operations in the region.

2. Filling Capability Gaps:

   • This vessel addresses a critical capability gap in India’s submarine rescue and maritime disaster response capacity. Until now, such advanced rescue vessels were limited, and India had to rely on foreign resources in case of emergencies involving submarines. INS Nistar now fills this gap, ensuring that India has a self-sufficient, highly capable asset for submarine rescue missions.

3. Symbolizing India’s Defense Self-Reliance:

   • The vessel is a proud example of India’s growing defense self-reliance. The fact that 80% of the ship's content is indigenous is in line with the Indian government’s focus on defense manufacturing and self-sufficiency. This will not only boost India's defense industry but also enhance its global standing as a defense powerhouse.

4. Legacy of INS Nistar (1971):

   • The INS Nistar also holds symbolic importance as it revives the legacy of an earlier Soviet-origin INS Nistar from 1971, which was involved in submarine rescue operations. The new INS Nistar builds on this legacy, modernizing and strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.

Conclusion:

INS Nistar is a powerful testament to India’s growing naval capabilities, indigenization efforts, and strategic vision. By enhancing the country’s submarine rescue, diving operations, and underwater mission support, it significantly strengthens India's naval defense posture. With its indigenous design, advanced rescue systems, and multi-functional support, INS Nistar positions India as a self-reliant maritime force, capable of handling critical underwater operations with ease