INS Nistar joins Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore, enhancing India’s submarine rescue capabilities, deep-sea intervention readiness, and strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific.
INS Nistar Joins Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore
INS Nistar’s Maiden Port Call in Singapore
The Indian Navy’s newly commissioned Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, made its maiden port call at Changi Naval Base, Singapore on 14 September 2025. Along with the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) or SRU (East), it is set to participate in Exercise Pacific Reach (XPR-25), a biennial multinational exercise hosted by Singapore.
Role & Capabilities of INS Nistar
Commissioned recently (on 18 July 2025) at Visakhapatnam, INS Nistar is a state-of-the-art vessel embodying more than 80% indigenous content in its construction. It is designed with equipment including side-scan sonar, observation-class and work-class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and extensive deep-sea diving systems. In this exercise, INS Nistar will act as the mothership (MoShip) for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), enabling rescue operations and coordination.
Exercise Pacific Reach 2025: Structure & Phases
Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR-25) starts 15 September 2025, and involves over 40 countries as either active participants or observers. The exercise is divided into two major phases:
- Harbour Phase: Conducted at Changi Naval Base. Activities include detailed discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), m
- Sea Phase: To take place in the South China Sea. INS Nistar with SRU (East) will participate in various rescue operations, intervention drills and coordination tasks with other naval assets.
Strategic Importance & Technological Edge
INS Nistar’s induction significantly enhances India’s capabilities in underwater rescue and deep-sea intervention. The vessel can support DSRVs capable of rescue operations to depths of about 650 metres, a capability added to the Indian Navy in 2018-19. The ship brings together dive systems, robust ROVs, and advanced monitoring tools. These technologies will be tested and refined in real-time during the sea phase of XPR-25.
Why This News is Important
Enhancing Maritime Security and Rescue Readiness
Maritime rescue operations, especially submarine rescue, are complex and risky. INS Nistar’s participation as a MoShip and its advanced capabilities give India an enhanced capacity to respond to underwater emergencies. In a global order where naval mishaps, submarine distress, or even naval accidents might require cross-border cooperation, being well-equipped is crucial. Exam candidates should note how this strengthens India’s preparedness for maritime emergencies.
Boost to India’s Self-Reliance in Defence
INS Nistar reflects India’s drive under Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance). More than 80% indigenous content, its commissioning, and deployment show progress in indigenous shipbuilding and military technology. This aligns with national policies like Make in India. For exams, this is an example of how policies turn into assets.
Strategic Partnerships & Diplomacy
Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 involves over 40 nations. Such multinational exercises are not just about drills; they strengthen diplomatic relations, build trust, share best practices, and improve interoperability among navies. This helps India improve its standing in the Indo-Pacific arena and work collaboratively in global maritime governance.
Technological & Tactical Learnings
Through SMEE (Subject Matter Expert Exchanges), cross deck visits, medical symposiums etc., India can both share its own practices and learn from others. This enables improvement in tactics, rescue protocols, technical maintenance etc. For these positions where understanding of national security is tested, knowing about such exchanges helps.
Historical Context
Evolution of India’s Submarine Rescue Capabilities
- 2018-19: India inducted two Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs), one for each seaboard. These vessels have been central to India joining the league of nations with dedicated submarine rescue systems.
- These rescue systems are capable of being deployed via Vessels of Opportunity (VoO) or airlifted to mobilisation ports, which is important for rapid response in distant seas.
INS Nistar and Its Predecessors
- “Nistar” is not a completely new name: earlier ships with similar names played roles during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, including detecting Pakistani submarine Ghazi. INS Nistar is intended to carry forward the legacy.
- The vessel was built at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam, following the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Its commissioning in July 2025 marked it as India’s first fully designed and constructed DSV to such standards.
Significance of Pacific Reach Exercise
Exercise Pacific Reach is a well-established biennial submarine rescue exercise hosted by Singapore, designed to improve readiness among participating navies through rescue drills, expert exchanges, etc. It has become one of the conventions in international naval cooperation. Participation underscores India’s commitment to international standards in submarine safety and rescue.
Key Takeaways from INS Nistar & Pacific Reach 2025
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | INS Nistar is India’s newly commissioned indigenously designed Diving Support Vessel (DSV), commissioned on 18 July 2025, with over 80% indigenous components. |
| 2 | INS Nistar will serve as mothership (MoShip) to Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025, enhancing India’s underwater rescue capabilities. |
| 3 | Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 involves more than 40 nations (participants + observers), and includes both harbour and sea phases for discussions, medical symposiums, rescue drills etc. |
| 4 | The sea phase is to be held in the South China Sea, where INS Nistar & SRU (East) will engage in intervention and rescue operations with other naval assets. |
| 5 | INS Nistar reflects India’s aim of achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing, especially in naval shipbuilding, and boosts India’s strategic and technological position in the Indo-Pacific. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is INS Nistar?
INS Nistar is a newly commissioned Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Indian Navy, designed to act as a mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) operations and deep-sea interventions.
2. When was INS Nistar commissioned?
INS Nistar was commissioned on 18 July 2025 at Visakhapatnam, built with over 80% indigenous content.
3. What is Exercise Pacific Reach 2025?
It is a biennial multinational submarine rescue exercise hosted by Singapore, aimed at improving submarine rescue coordination, operational readiness, and sharing best practices among participating navies.
4. Where will the sea phase of Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 take place?
The sea phase will be held in the South China Sea, involving operational drills, rescue exercises, and collaboration among international navies.
5. How many countries are participating in Exercise Pacific Reach 2025?
Over 40 countries are either active participants or observers in XPR‑25.
6. What is the strategic importance of INS Nistar?
INS Nistar enhances India’s maritime rescue capabilities, supports DSRVs for deep-sea rescue, and strengthens India’s technological self-reliance and strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
7. What are the key activities during the harbour phase?
The harbour phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), cross-deck visits, medical symposiums, and discussions on submarine rescue systems and best practices.
8. What does DSRV stand for?
DSRV stands for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, capable of rescuing personnel from submarines at depths of around 650 meters.
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