Rajnath Singh Flags-off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, World’s First Tri-Service All-Women Sailing Circumnavigation.

Defence | Dated: 15 Sep 2025

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged-off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the world’s first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, from the Gateway of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The expedition is led by 10 women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, making it the first attempt by an all-women tri-service crew to sail around the globe. They will sail onboard the IASV Triveni, an indigenously built 50-foot Class A yacht constructed in Puducherry.
  • - During their journey, the crew will cross the equator twice and pass through the three great capes — Cape Leeuwin in Australia, Cape Horn in South America, and the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The toughest phase will be the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage.
  • - The global voyage will include four international port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada), and Cape Town (South Africa).

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The expedition is planned to cover nearly 21,600 nautical miles (40,000 km), adhering to the international circumnavigation sailing standard.
  • (ii) Training for the women officers was conducted under the Indian Army Adventure Wing (IAAW) and supervised by experienced naval sailing instructors.
  • (iii) This initiative is aligned with India’s 75th year of women’s induction in the Armed Forces (since 1949), making it a landmark event in military gender inclusion.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which Union Minister recently flagged-off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the world’s first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition?

Correct Answer: Rajnath Singh

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Indian Army (IA)

  • Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) : General Upendra Dwivedi
  • Headquarters: New Delhi