Syllabus: 

GS3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. 

Context: The Indian Navy has received its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) at Visakhapatnam. 

More on the News  

• The warship has been designed and built as per the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). 
• The ship is highly specialised and can undertake ‘Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations’ a capability with select Navies across the globe.
• On commissioning, the ship will join the Eastern Naval Command to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations.

Key Features and Capabilities of INS Nistar

• The ship’s name, Nistar, originates from Sanskrit and means liberation, rescue or salvation. 
• It has been indigenously designed and constructed by M/s Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam with nearly 75% indigenous content in line with the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India campaign. 
• It has an endurance of over 60 days at sea, capacity to undertake stages through helicopter operations and a 15-ton subsea crane make the ship a very versatile platform.
• With a length of approx. 120 meters and displacing of more than 10,000 tons, the DSV has the capacity to maintain its position with extreme accuracy, using Dynamic Positioning System. 
• The expansive diving complex onboard which consists of both Air and Saturation Diving Systems, along with underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Side Scan SONAR, substantially enhances the operational envelope of the vessel. 
• One of the ship’s critical roles will be to act as the “Mother Ship” for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), which is responsible for rescuing and evacuating personnel in case of a submarine emergency.
• The ship is also outfitted with an Operation Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Eight Bedded Hospital and Hyperbaric Medical Facilities which are critical towards meeting her operational roles.

Strategic Significance for India

• The project saw the participation of over 120 MSMEs, contributing to more than 80% indigenous content. This project is a testament to the Indian Navy's dedication to designing and constructing complex indigenous platforms.
• Earlier known as ex-Nistar, the vessel served the Indian Navy from 1971, aiding in diving and submarine rescue. The new ship carries forward its legacy with the motto ‘Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam’—‘Deliverance with Precision and Bravery’.
• The commissioning of Nistar and its induction into the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command will not only enhance India's operational preparedness in the underwater domain but will also reinforce its strategic maritime posture across the Indian Ocean Region.

Sources: PIB 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2143722