INS Nipun will significantly enhance the Navy’s niche underwater capabilities required for multi-domain operations, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said on Monday. He emphasised that this dedicated Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel adds specialised capability for complex underwater operations and to respond to emergencies in one of the world’s most “challenging and mysterious environments.” The Navy Chief was speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Nipun in Mumbai.
Key Attendees
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command
- Other senior naval officers
- Representatives from Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., Visakhapatnam
Significance of INS Nipun
INS Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar Class and is a strong addition to the Navy’s deep-sea diving and underwater support capabilities.
““We are living through a period of significant strategic churn. The maritime environment is becoming increasingly contested, and the threat perceptions are constantly evolving and morphing into newer forms,” Admiral Swaminathan said.
He noted that while it may not always be possible to predict the exact nature of the threats India will face at any given time, it is critical to stay prepared for anticipated threats and build robust capabilities to tackle these challenges effectively, wherever they may arise.
Enhancing Operational Capabilities
The addition of this capability will enable the Western Naval Command to strengthen its capabilities to operate above, on, and beneath the waves. Admiral Swaminathan stated that the vessel brings together a range of capabilities possessed by only a handful of navies, which includes the ability to embark the Indian Navy’s deep submergence rescue vessel.
