Key Highlights
- First tri‑service women’s circumnavigation covering 25,500 nautical miles in 314 days.
- Nine officers from Army, Navy and Air Force aboard the self‑produced IASV Triveni.
- Successful traversal of all meridians, equator twice and the International Date Line.
- Completion of the perilous Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn, joining the exclusive Cape Horners Society.
- Demonstrated India’s self‑reliant shipbuilding and strategic maritime confidence.
Detailed Insights
The expedition, launched on 11 September 2025 and escorted home on 22 July 2026, was the maiden tri‑service circumnavigation involving women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force. The nine‑person crew navigated the 50‑foot, self‑made IASV Triveni across four oceans, with the Defence Minister’s virtual inauguration in Mumbai marking a historic moment.
Covering 25,500 nautical miles in 314 days, the voyage crossed every meridian of longitude, crossed the equator twice, intersected the International Date Line, and rounded the three most formidable capes: Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America) and the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). Crossing the Drake Passage—the world’s deadliest maritime channel—enabled the crew to become members of the exclusive Cape Horners Society, a tradition reserved for sailors who have successfully rounded Cape Horn.
Beyond navigation, the journey showcased Aatmanirbhar Bharat through the vessel’s indigenous engineering, self‑sufficient defence capability, and technological innovation. The expedition also underscored the rising phenomenon of Nari Shakti within the armed forces, illustrating gender inclusivity, resilience, and leadership in high‑stakes military operations.
Key Concepts
- Circumnavigation – sailing around the entire globe, crossing all meridians and the International Date Line.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat – India’s self‑reliant approach in engineering, defence, and maritime technology.
- Drake Passage – the narrow, hazardous channel between South Georgia and Antarctica, renowned for violent currents and unpredictable weather.
- Cape Horn – the southern tip of South America, a legendary meeting point for circumnavigating vessels.
- Nari Shakti – the empowerment and active participation of women in the defence forces.
