Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) achieved a significant milestone on May 27, 2024, as its first indigenously designed and built warship for the Indian Navy in over three decades successfully completed its maiden sea trials. The Diving Support Vessel (DSV), yet to be officially named but known as NISTAR, returned to the HSL jetty after its inaugural voyage, demonstrating no major defects.
This achievement marks a pivotal moment for HSL, reaffirming its capabilities in warship construction and contributing significantly to the national 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The DSV is the first of two vessels in the project, with the second named NIPUN. Both were launched simultaneously in September 2022 and boast a remarkable 80% indigenous content.
The DSVs are designed to operate helicopters and are equipped with advanced diving systems. These vessels will play a crucial role in submarine rescue, deep-sea diving operations, sustained patrolling, and search and rescue missions, enhancing the Indian Navy's operational readiness and response capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
This achievement signals a resurgence in HSL's warship building capabilities, with the last warship constructed for the Indian Navy being INS Sujatha in 1993.
