Samudra Pradakshina: India completes first tri-service all-women global sailing expedition
The 314-day voyage by nine women officers demonstrated military jointness, maritime endurance and indigenous capability while strengthening India's global outreach through naval diplomacy.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flags in the crew of IASV Triveni after the successful completion of 'Samudra Pradakshina', India's first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, in New Delhi on July 22, 2026.
NEW DELHI: India has successfully completed its first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, with nine women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force returning to Mumbai after a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged in the expedition, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, on Wednesday. The crew sailed aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni after being flagged off from Mumbai by the defence minister on September 11, 2025.
Congratulating the crew, the minister described the expedition as a symbol of New India’s resolve, the strength of Nari Shakti and the success of tri-service jointness. He said the achievement demonstrated that determination and courage could overcome even the toughest challenges.
The expedition was completed after nearly two years of intensive training, meticulous planning and continuous support from a dedicated shore-based network. The mission fulfilled all internationally recognised criteria for a global circumnavigation by crossing every meridian of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, traversing the International Date Line and rounding the three Great Capes — Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
The crew also successfully navigated the Drake Passage and rounded Cape Horn, earning membership of the prestigious Cape Horners fraternity, an honour reserved for sailors who complete one of the world’s most demanding maritime passages.
Highlighting the significance of the mission, the minister said the expedition showcased the operational strength of integrated planning and seamless coordination among the three armed services. Living, training and sailing together for more than ten months, the officers demonstrated that jointness is a force multiplier that enhances operational effectiveness and national capability.
He said the expedition would be remembered not merely as a maritime achievement but as a powerful demonstration of unity, with women officers from the three services coming together under one flag and one mission.
The minister also described the voyage as an important exercise in military diplomacy. During port calls in several countries, IASV Triveni promoted India’s maritime traditions, cultural heritage and military professionalism while strengthening goodwill with friendly nations and enhancing the country’s soft power.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the indigenous design and construction of the 50-foot IASV Triveni, describing it as a symbol of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. He said the vessel reflected India’s engineering excellence, technological capability and growing strategic confidence.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s successor General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and senior defence officials attended the virtual flag-in ceremony from New Delhi.
Senior military commanders, veterans and families of the crew gathered at the Gateway of India in Mumbai to welcome the officers home after the successful completion of the historic expedition.
