SOURCE: AFI
Diving Support Vessel, the first warship built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for Indian Navy since 1993 was sent to sea for trials on 27th May early morning, The Ship returned to HSL Jetty late hours on 27th May. The ship has successfully completed maiden sea trials with no major defect, marking a pivotal achievement for Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL).
This milestone is particularly noteworthy as it represents HSL’s first warship construction for the Navy in three decades, the last being INS Sujatha built in year 1993 with Korean assistance.
The DSVs projects, which includes two Diving Support Vessels (NISTAR and NIPUN), is essential for bolstering the Indian Navy’s submarine support capabilities and underscores HSL’s advanced warship building expertise with 80 % indigenous content. Both ships were launched concurrently on 22 Sep 2022, significantly contributing to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The project to build two DSVs Nistar and Nipun awarded to HSL were launched in September, 2023. The vessels are first of the kind, indigenously designed and built at HSL. The vessels are 118.4 metres long, 22.8 metres at the broadest point and will have a displacement of 9,350 tonnes. The DSVs will be deployed for deep sea diving operations. With Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) embarked, the DSVs are designed to undertake submarine rescue operations, in case requirement exists. Moreover, the DSVs are capable of sustained patrolling, conducting search and rescue operations and carrying out helicopter operations at high seas at the time of distress and calamities.
The DSVs are credited with approximately 80 per cent indigenous content. The twin DSV project has generated considerable local employment opportunities and has also promoted indigenisation which in turn is giving a shot in the arm to giving a fillip to the nation’s economy.