- Nine Army, Navy and Air Force women officers complete 314-day, 25,500-nautical-mile circumnavigation across four oceans
- ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ demonstrates how tri-service jointness can become a force multiplier in an era of integrated commands and multi-domain warfare
- Indigenously built IASV Triveni emerges as India’s floating ambassador, carrying the nation’s maritime confidence and soft power across the globe
- Historic expedition showcases Nari Shakti, military interoperability, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s growing strategic confidence at sea
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 22
For 314 days, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force did not merely share a vessel—they shared a mission, a command philosophy and a common operational purpose. As nine women officers returned to Mumbai after sailing nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ emerged as a powerful demonstration of how jointness can become a force multiplier, how an indigenous vessel can carry India’s strategic confidence across the world, and how maritime power can advance military diplomacy far beyond the battlefield.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday flagged-in ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, India’s first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, through video conferencing from Kartavya Bhavan-2, New Delhi.
Aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, nine women officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force successfully completed a gruelling 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. The expedition had been virtually flagged-off by Rajnath Singh from Mumbai on September 11, 2025.
More than a record-breaking maritime adventure, the expedition became a real-world demonstration of tri-service integration, operational interoperability, human endurance, indigenous capability and India’s expanding maritime diplomacy.
Three services, one mission: Jointness as a force multiplier
The expedition brought together officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force on a single mission, demonstrating the power of integrated planning, seamless interoperability and shared leadership.
Living, training and sailing together for more than ten months, the crew functioned as one cohesive team. Their experience offered a compelling practical demonstration of how jointness can translate into operational effectiveness—an especially significant message at a time when militaries across the world are focusing on joint operations, integrated commands and multi-domain warfare.
Rajnath Singh said the expedition had demonstrated that jointness was not merely an organisational concept but a force multiplier.
“At a time when the world is discussing joint operations, integrated commands, and multi-domain warfare, IASV Triveni has demonstrated the importance of jointness. Capability multiplies when there is coordination. Victory paves its own path when the three forces march together,” he said.
Describing the successful completion of the expedition as a testament to India’s Nari Shakti, a symbol of the nation’s resolve and proof of the effectiveness of Tri-service synergy, the Defence Minister said it represented a ‘New India’ that overcomes challenges and scripts history.
“Ocean waves may rise high, but the spirit of India’s daughters soars higher,” he said, highlighting the growing role of women in creating opportunities, leading from the front and writing their names in the history books.
25,500 nautical miles, four oceans and three great capes
The expedition successfully fulfilled all internationally recognised criteria for a circumnavigation by crossing all meridians of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, crossing the International Date Line and rounding the Three Great Capes—Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
The successful passage through the formidable Drake Passage and rounding of Cape Horn earned the crew membership of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners, an honour reserved for sailors who conquer one of the world’s most demanding maritime passages.
The achievement was made possible through meticulous planning, nearly two years of intensive training, a dedicated 24×7 shore-based support network and the unwavering commitment of numerous organisations and support agencies.
Iasv Triveni: India’s floating ambassador
Beyond its remarkable maritime achievement, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ emerged as a significant instrument of military diplomacy.
During port calls across the globe, IASV Triveni showcased India’s rich cultural heritage, maritime traditions, military professionalism and enduring values while fostering goodwill with friendly nations.
The vessel became more than a platform for a historic voyage—it became India’s floating ambassador, projecting the nation’s growing maritime confidence and strengthening its soft power across the world.
The expedition demonstrated how maritime engagement can complement defence diplomacy by building relationships, enhancing mutual understanding and projecting India’s values and capabilities beyond its shores.
Indigenous vessel, indigenous confidence
The 50-foot IASV Triveni also stood as a powerful symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Indigenously built, the vessel showcased India’s engineering excellence, technical prowess, innovation and growing self-confidence in maritime capability.
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command Air Marshal PV Shivanand, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Vipul Singhal, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale, other military dignitaries, veterans and families of the crew welcome the historic expedition’s nine-member crew at the Gateway of India. Courtesy: PIB
“The vessel stands as a testament to India’s engineering excellence, indigenous capability, and strategic confidence,” Rajnath Singh stated.
The expedition thus brought together three critical elements of India’s emerging defence narrative—jointness among the Services, indigenous capability and strategic outreach through maritime diplomacy.
The mission was also a powerful statement of Nari Shakti, with nine women officers overcoming the challenges of one of the most demanding environments on Earth to demonstrate that courage, leadership and operational excellence know no gender boundaries.
At the Gateway of India, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command Air Marshal PV Shivanand, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Vipul Singhal, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale, other military dignitaries, veterans and families of the crew gathered to welcome the nine trailblazing officers home.
