Visakhapatnam’s waters whisper tales of 1971 as the Indian Navy prepares its 2026 IFR extravaganza. Pakistan’s no-show, like China’s, underscores tensions, but the venue itself revives the sinking of PNS Ghazi—the sub sent to hunt INS Vikrant, only to be lured to doom by INS Rajput. The original INS Nistar pinpointed the debris.
Today, a cutting-edge, Made-in-India INS Nistar takes position there for IFR, its presence a masterful fusion of memory and modernity. Delivered July 2025 by Hindustan Shipyard, it’s the lead in a duo with INS Nipun, born from a 2018 pact slightly waylaid by global health woes.
This 120m, 10,000-ton DSV cruises at 18 knots, armed with elite diving systems for DSRV deployment. In submarine emergencies—be it mechanical failure or enemy action—it dives deep to extract personnel, a capability boosting India’s oceanic edge. Sanskrit-rooted ‘Nistar’ evokes rescue, aligning with its elite status.
Echoing the era, the new INS Vikrant graces the fleet. IFR 2026 promises a global showcase, but India’s narrative steals the show: from defensive triumphs to offensive innovation. It’s not just review; it’s resurgence, ensuring past glories propel future conquests.