The Indian Navy’s newest indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel, INS Nistar, made its maiden port call at Changi Naval Base on Sept 14, ahead of participating in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR 25).
The ship, commissioned in July this year, operates under the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, according to a release by India’s Press Information Bureau.
Hosted by Singapore, XPR 25 will bring together more than 40 nations as participants or observers.
The biennial exercise, which began on Sept 15, is structured in two phases – harbour and sea.
The week-long harbour phase will feature subject matter expert exchanges on submarine rescue systems, medical symposia, and cross-deck visits.
The sea phase will see INS Nistar and India’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East) conduct intervention and rescue drills alongside international partners in the South China Sea.
INS Nistar represents a major milestone in India’s shipbuilding self-reliance, achieving over 80 per cent indigenisation.
Equipped with side-scan sonar, remotely operated vehicles, and advanced deep-sea diving systems, the vessel will serve as a mothership for the Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
With two DSRVs inducted in 2018-19, India joined the small group of nations capable of submarine rescues at depths up to 650 metres. These units can be deployed from vessels of opportunity or airlifted for rapid response worldwide.
Exercise Pacific Reach aims to harmonise procedures, enhance interoperability, and share best practices among global submarine rescue operators, further strengthening maritime safety and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
