In News:

The Indian Navy’s latest indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, is participating in the multinational Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore, marking a key step in strengthening India’s naval cooperation and submarine rescue capabilities.

About Exercise Pacific Reach 2025

• Exercise Pacific Reach is a biennial multinational naval exercise hosted by Singapore, with the 2025 edition witnessing the participation of over 40 nations.
• The exercise focuses on submarine rescue operations, interoperability, and sharing of best practices among participating navies.
• It is conducted in two major phases:

• Harbour Phase:
  • Involves in-depth discussions on submarine rescue systems.
  • Includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), a medical symposium, and cross-deck visits among participating nations.
  • Aims to enhance coordination in rescue procedures and underwater medical responses.
• Sea Phase:
  • Conducted in the South China Sea, featuring multiple intervention and rescue operations.
  • INS Nistar and Submarine Rescue Unit (East) will collaborate with other international assets to simulate real-world submarine rescue missions and deep-sea operations.

The exercise underscores the growing importance of multilateral maritime cooperation in ensuring submarine safety, operational interoperability, and humanitarian response readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.

INS Nistar: A Technological Milestone in Naval Capability

• Commissioned on: 18 July 2025
• Built by: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam
• Under: Ministry of Defence’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative
• INS Nistar is designed to act as a mothership (MoSHIP) for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) — a critical capability for submarine rescue and deep-sea support operations.
• The vessel exemplifies India’s indigenous shipbuilding prowess and self-reliance in complex maritime technologies.

Key Technical Features and Capabilities:

• Integrated Saturation Diving System (ISDS):Enables diver deployment up to 300 meters depth, facilitating underwater repairs, salvage, and rescue missions.
• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs):Deployed for underwater surveillance and recovery in deep-sea environments.
• Side Scan Sonar:Assists in locating submerged vessels, wreckage, or obstacles on the seabed.
• Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS):Streamlines the operation and monitoring of onboard systems for greater efficiency and safety.
• Submarine Rescue System:A critical asset for submarine emergency response, ensuring timely and safe evacuation of personnel from disabled submarines.