First-ever all-women tri-services ocean voyage launched

India marked a historic milestone in maritime and military history as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first-ever tri-services all-women circumnavigation sailing voyage, named ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, from Mumbai’s Gateway of India. This bold expedition, undertaken by ten women officers aboard the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, will cover around 26,000 nautical miles, traversing some of the world’s most treacherous waters over the next nine months.

The team, representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force, will cross the Equator twice and round the three great Capes-Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope. The voyage will take them through all major oceans, including the notorious Southern Ocean and Drake Passage, regions known for extreme storms, freezing winds, and massive swells. Beyond being a test of seamanship, this journey is a rigorous demonstration of discipline, resilience, and the growing Nari Shakti within India’s armed forces.

Every officer on board has undergone three years of intensive training, starting with smaller expeditions along India’s western coast and culminating in a landmark international journey to Seychelles. The crew will also make four international port calls, engage in scientific research with the National Institute of Oceanography, and study marine micro-plastics and ocean biodiversity. This ensures the expedition merges adventure, defence capability, and meaningful research, strengthening India’s maritime knowledge.

Defence Minister Singh called this voyage a “symbol of jointness among the three services and a showcase of self-reliance, courage, and innovation.” The Triveni itself, built in Puducherry, reflects India’s growing technological and defence capabilities. Experts note that navigating the Southern Ocean, especially around Cape Horn, will test the officers’ endurance to the fullest, demanding careful coordination, 24/7 vigilance, and exceptional resilience.

Historically, circumnavigation has been a rare and prestigious feat. Internationally, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston completed the first solo non-stop circumnavigation in 1969. In India, Captain Dilip Donde and Commander Abhilash Tomy achieved solo circumnavigation, while the Indian Navy’s Navika Sagar Parikrama expeditions paved the way for all-women crews.

The ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ voyage is more than a maritime expedition; it is a strategic, scientific, and symbolic journey that demonstrates India’s commitment to empowering women in defence, fostering innovation, and asserting India’s presence on the global maritime stage. Over nine months, this expedition will not only test human courage but also showcase India’s evolving naval strength, discipline, and vision for self-reliance in technology and defence.