India Launches World’s First All-Women Tri-Service Circumnavigation on IASV Triveni
India has launched a historic first: ten women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force set sail on the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni for a nine-month circumnavigation covering 26,000 nautical miles.
The expedition, christened Samudra Pradakshina, was virtually flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from South Block as the team departed from the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
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| Image Source: PIB |
Over the next nine months, the crew will sail eastward, cross the Equator twice, round the Capes of Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope, and navigate the world’s most dangerous waters — the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage.
They will halt at four international ports: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (South Africa).
IASV Triveni – All Women Sailing Expedition Around the Globe
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 10, 2025
The all-women sailing expedition will commence on 11 Sep 2025, aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, an indigenously built vessel, from the Gateway of India, Mumbai.
The expedition will sail for… pic.twitter.com/8Dmd7Rh03y
The 10-member crew is led by Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar with Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju as deputy.
The team trained for three years, including a voyage to Seychelles, to prepare for the World Sailing Speed Record Council’s strict circumnavigation criteria -- requiring more than 21,600 nautical miles under sail alone.
IASV Triveni, a 50-foot Class A yacht built in Puducherry, embodies India’s defence self-reliance. Singh said every nautical mile of the voyage is “a journey towards strategic autonomy.”
The expedition will also conduct scientific research with the National Institute of Oceanography, studying microplastics, documenting marine life and raising awareness about ocean health.
Addressing the Flag off ceremony of IASV Triveni via video conferencing. https://t.co/wF8XaNuHjM
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 11, 2025
This voyage builds on India’s record of maritime achievements — from Captain Dilip Donde’s first solo circumnavigation (2009–10) to Commander Abhilash Tomy’s non-stop voyage (2012–13), and the Navy’s all-women Navika Sagar Parikrama (2017–18).
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today virtually flagged-off a historic first-ever Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition from the #GatewayofIndia, Mumbai. 10 women officers will sail onboard the indigenously-built IASV Triveni for 9 months, covering 26,000… pic.twitter.com/zb2akyM1jN
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) September 11, 2025
If successful, Samudra Pradakshina will mark the world’s first all-women, tri-service circumnavigation, adding a new chapter to global maritime history.