The Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and constructed diving support vessel, the INS Nistar, made its maiden port call at Changi in Singapore on Sunday (September 15, 2025), ahead of its participation in the multinational Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR 25) exercise, which begins on September 15.
Commissioned on July 18, 2025, the INS Nistar is a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in shipbuilding, having achieved over 80% indigenisation. The ship is equipped with advanced systems, including side scan sonar; work and observation class remotely operated vehicles; and expansive deep-sea diving facilities. It will serve as the mothership for the deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) during the exercise.
India inducted two DSRVs between 2018 and 2019, one for each seaboard, capable of conducting rescue operations up to a depth of 650 metres. Their induction placed India among a select group of nations possessing dedicated submarine rescue systems. These systems can be quickly mobilised either on vessels of opportunity, or by airlift to distant seas. For XPR 25, the submarine rescue unit (east) will operate from INS Nistar.
The vessel is under the command of the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet.
