For the first time, women officers from the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army have embarked on their maiden circumnavigation of the globe. This historic journey was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Ten women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force made up the first-ever tri-services all-women crew, called the ‘Samudri Pradakshina’ expedition, which the Defence Minister virtually launched from the historic Gateway of India in Mumbai. The expedition would be traveling around the world on the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
This is the first-ever tri-service trip of its sort, with a combined team of 10 women officers traveling nearly 26,000 nautical miles. On September 11, the boat made its official departure. This is a journey of self-control, bravery, and determination in addition to being a maritime voyage. This is not just a mission, but a symbol of the combined strength of all three units of the armed forces. When the expedition returns, they would have set a new record for India!
The fact that an all-women crew is leading this effort is the proudest part of the campaign. The team will stop at strategic ports along the way, such as Fremantle, Australia; Lyttelton, New Zealand; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; and Cape Town, South Africa, where they will interact with local authorities and communities to showcase India's military might and cultural legacy.
Five Army officers, one Naval officer, and four Air Force officers make up the crew, which is led by Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar. The crew will travel almost 26,000 nautical miles over the course of the nine-month journey, making two equator crossings and circling the three Great Capes: Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope. Before returning to Mumbai in May 2026, they will visit four foreign ports and traverse all of the main oceans as well as some of the most hazardous waters, such as the Drake Passage and the Southern Ocean. As a component of Mission MARG, the expedition is being praised as a historic demonstration of India's naval strength, military cohesion, and women power.
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