INS Nistar Joins Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in Singapore

INS Nistar, India’s newly commissioned indigenously-built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), made its maiden port call at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, to participate in the multinational Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 (XPR 25). The exercise officially began on 15 September 2025, and marks a key moment in India’s expanding role in maritime safety and international naval cooperation. INS Nistar, which was commissioned on 18 July 2025, is part of India’s broader strategy for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in defence and shipbuilding, boasting over 80% indigenous components.

INS Nistar: India’s Mothership for Submarine Rescue

INS Nistar operates under the Eastern Naval Command and is equipped with,

• Side Scan Sonar for seabed mapping
• Work and Observation-class ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles)

Deep-sea diving systems

Its primary role in XPR 25 is to act as a Mothership (MoSHIP) for India’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). India inducted two DSRVs between 2018 and 2019—one for each seaboard—capable of executing rescue missions up to 650 meters below sea level.

These systems can be,

• Airlifted for rapid deployment
• Mounted on Vessels of Opportunity (VoO) for flexible operations
• For Pacific Reach 2025, the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) is operating from INS Nistar, enhancing India’s rapid-response capabilities in underwater emergencies.

About Exercise Pacific Reach 2025

Pacific Reach is a biennial multinational submarine rescue exercise hosted this year by Singapore. The 2025 edition includes over 40 participating countries—either as active contributors or observers.

The exercise is divided into two main phases,

1. Harbour Phase

• Held at Changi Naval Base

Includes

• Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE)
• Medical symposiums
• Cross-deck visits

Technical briefings on submarine rescue platforms

2. Sea Phase

• Takes place in the South China Sea

Involves,

• Live rescue operations
• Submarine intervention drills
• Multi-nation interoperability testing

India’s participation enhances procedural alignment, promotes best practices, and strengthens international naval coordination in underwater emergencies.

Important Takeaways