Sea trials begin for Indian Navy dive support vessel

India's Hindustan Shipyard has begun conducting sea trials of a new dive support vessel (DSV) ordered by the Indian Navy.

The future INS Nistar is the first in a planned class of two DSVs that will be used primarily for the rescue of crews of distressed submarines. Secondary duties will include patrols and general search and rescue (SAR).

Upon completion, the vessel will have a length of 118.4 metres, a beam of 22.8 metres, a displacement of 9.350 tonnes, and aft deck space for a submersible deep sea rescue vehicle (DSRV). A helicopter deck will be installed forward of the superstructure.

Construction of the future Nistar and sister vessel INS Nipun is being undertaken in compliance to Indian Register of Shipping class rules. The DSVs will have approximately 80 per cent local content in line with the "Make in India" initiative launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.