Raksha Mantri flags-in first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged-in ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the first ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition through video conferencing on July 22, 2026. Aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, nine women officers of the three Services returned to Mumbai after successfully completing a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. The expedition was virtually flagged-off by Shri Rajnath Singh on September 11, 2025 from Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Mantri described the successful completion of the expedition as a testament to India’s Nari Shakti, a symbol of the nation’s resolve, a proof of the effectiveness of Tri-Service synergy & jointness, and a celebration of ‘New India’ that overcomes challenges to script history.
The success of the mission was made possible through meticulous planning, nearly two years of intensive training, a dedicated 24X7 shore-based support network and the unwavering commitment of numerous organisations and support agencies. 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 expedition brought together officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force on a single mission, showcasing the strength of integrated planning, seamless interoperability and shared leadership. Living, training and sailing together for over ten months, the crew functioned as one cohesive team, demonstrating that jointness is not merely an organisational concept but a force multiplier that enhances operational effectiveness and national capability. (UPDATED ON 22ND JULY 2026)
