India's All-Women Tri-Service Crew Makes Maritime History

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 24 July 2026

India has created a new chapter in maritime history on Wednesday, when an all women team from the Army, Navy & Air Force successfully completed the first-ever global circumnavigation by a team made entirely of Indian Army Sailors, on board the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, a vessel developed by the Indian Navy.

The nine officers sailed almost 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans and around the three Great Capes during the expedition, Samudra Pradakshina that started from Mumbai on September 11, 2025.

The cruise achieved internationally recognised criteria for a true circumnavigation, covering all the Meridian of Longitude, twice crossing the Equator, twice crossing the International Date Line and twice passing the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin. The crew further called at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Cape Town (South Africa) before returning to Mumbai.

Key Highlights:

• India's first all-women tri-service crew completed a historic global circumnavigation
• The expedition showcased women's leadership and joint military excellence
• All nine officers earned the prestigious Cape Horner distinction

The transiting through the Drake Passage and round the Cape Horn (one of the most difficult passages for ocean sailors) was one of the most difficult parts of the trip. All nine officers completed the route and so became members of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners.

Built in India, the 50-foot IASV Triveni sailed through the harsh environment of the oceans during the mission, demonstrating India's local shipbuilding prowess. The ship also imparted a sense of Indian maritime heritage and outreach during its overseas port visits, where it was used for military diplomacy.

The Flag was hoisted at the Gateway of India, Mumbai. The ceremony was organised in virtual mode with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani and Chiefs of the three Services joining the proceedings from their respective bases in New Delhi, while senior military officers, foreign defence representatives, families of veterans and veterans attended the ceremony in Mumbai.

The expedition was a milestone in the development of Nari Shakti and commonality between the three services, said Rajnath Singh, who described the crew's “extraordinary courage and strength of integration of the three Services”.

“The crew has proven that human courage is mightier than any storm. They have made every Indian woman proud and shown that Indian women do not wait for opportunities, they create them. History will remember this expedition as proof of India’s defense integration and unity,” he said.

“At a time when the world is discussing joint operations, integrated commands, and multi-domain warfare, IASV Triveni has demonstrated the importance of jointness. Capability multiplies when there is coordination. Victory paves its own path when the three forces march together,” he added.

Synergy between the Army, Navy and Air Force was also seen on the mission. The officers trained together for over 2 years, then served together, as one unit, for almost a year at sea. Mission leader, Lt Col Anuja Varudkar said the journey reinforced the camaraderie between the three Services.

“We embarked on the expedition as officers from separate forces but came back together as Team Triveni. Although our uniforms are different, our duty and dedication towards the nation are the same,” she said.