Nistar, first indigenous diving support vessel, commissioned into Navy, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• INS Nistar is built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., it is 118 metres long and equipped for deep-sea rescue and saturation diving.
• Can conduct operations up to 300 metres depth, including submarine rescue missions.
• Features include remotely operated vehicles, hyperbaric life boats, and diving compression chambers.
• Will serve as a “Mother Ship” for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRV).
• Part of India’s push under Aatmanirbhar Bharat; all 57 upcoming Navy warships are indigenously constructed.
• Enhances India's position as a regional maritime security provider.

Detailed Insights:

• INS Nistar adds unique submarine rescue capabilities previously limited to a few global navies.
• Strengthens India's maritime preparedness and enhances humanitarian and disaster response capacity at sea.
• Reinforces India's commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, supporting local shipbuilding industries.
• Empowers India to assist regional partners in submarine-related emergencies, fostering regional cooperation.
• Operationalizes India's submarine rescue ecosystem, filling a critical strategic capability gap.
• Enhances India's undersea domain awareness (UDA) and credibility as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Saturation Diving: A technique allowing divers to reduce decompression time when working at great depths for extended periods.
• Hyperbaric Life Boat: A life-saving vessel maintaining atmospheric pressure for rescued personnel during deep-sea recovery.
• DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle): A specialized mini-submarine used to rescue personnel from disabled submarines.