The fleet’s second and final submarine rescue ship, INS Nipun, has been handed over to the Indian Navy.
The domestically designed and constructed 119-metre diving support vessel (DSV) has been built to the same design as first-in-class INS Nistar, which entered service in July last year.
Both ships will act as a mothership to the fleet’s recently acquired deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) for rescuing and aiding submarines in need.
In addition the DSVs will also be used for maritime security patrols, search and rescue, disaster relief, salvage, and underwater inspections.
The ship, which cost about £245 million to build, was constructed at Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam and her delivery was marked by a ceremony held there last week. Her name translates as “capable.”
She displaces more than 9,000 tonnes, and can cruise at about 14 knots. Specialist systems include a dynamic positioning system (DSP) to automatically maintain its in place over underwater operations in heavy weather; a side-scan sonar system, a six-person decompression chamber; a diving bell launched via a moon pool; and a hyperbaric lifeboat.
She also has a flight deck sitting just behind the bow and ahead of her superstructure for helicopters and/or rotary-wing uncrewed systems.
- You can read more details on the Indian Ministry Of Defence website
