Nine Women Officers Create History with First-Ever Tri-Service Global Circumnavigation

314-Day Expedition Showcases Courage, Resilience and Tri-Service Unity

• Bilkul Online
• Ahmedabad | 23 July 2026

In a landmark achievement for India’s Armed Forces, nine women officers successfully completed ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the country’s first Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation of the globe aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel (IASV) Triveni.

The remarkable expedition covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans over 314 days, showcasing exceptional courage, endurance, resilience, and teamwork. The mission stands as a powerful testament to the growing role of women in the Indian Armed Forces and the spirit of seamless Tri-Service jointmanship.

Air Marshal PV Shivanand, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), along with all personnel and families of the South Western Air Command (SWAC), extended heartfelt congratulations to the nine officers for accomplishing this historic feat.

The expedition not only demonstrated outstanding maritime skills and unwavering determination but also marked a significant milestone in India’s military history. Battling challenging weather conditions and spending over ten months at sea, the officers embodied the highest ideals of discipline, perseverance, and national service.

The successful completion of Samudra Pradakshina is expected to inspire generations of young Indians, particularly women, to pursue careers in the armed forces and take on challenging leadership roles. It also reinforces the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to gender inclusion, operational excellence, and joint-service integration.

This extraordinary voyage will be remembered as a defining chapter in India’s military and maritime legacy, celebrating the indomitable spirit of its women warriors.