New Delhi: The Indian Navy has commissioned its second Diving Support Vessel, ‘Nipun’, in Mumbai, adding a specialised platform to its deep sea diving, underwater intervention and rescue capabilities.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan commissioned the vessel at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, ‘Nipun’ was formally handed over to the Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 30, 2026. The vessel has been constructed in accordance with the classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping.
The Sanskrit name ‘Nipun’ refers to someone who is skilled, capable and highly proficient in a particular field. The vessel has been purpose built to support demanding underwater operations, including deep sea diving and rescue missions.
‘Nipun’ is equipped with advanced diving systems that enable deep sea saturation diving, along with a side diving stage designed to support diving activities. It also carries Remotely Operated Vehicles, which can assist with monitoring divers, underwater inspection and salvage operations.
A major feature of the vessel is its ability to function as a mother ship for the Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel. This allows it to support submarine rescue missions and the evacuation of personnel from submarines during emergencies.
The ship also incorporates modern navigation, platform management and precise station keeping systems. Dedicated facilities for diving, underwater intervention and medical support allow the vessel to operate as an integrated platform during complex maritime missions.
With around 75 per cent indigenous content, the commissioning of ‘Nipun’ also highlights India’s growing capability to build specialised naval platforms domestically.
The vessel is expected to strengthen the Navy’s ability to undertake sustained underwater operations across India’s maritime areas of interest while enhancing preparedness for submarine emergencies, salvage missions and other specialised diving tasks.
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