Rajnath Singh Honours Brave IASV Triveni Crew

Rajnath Singh Honours Brave IASV Triveni Crew

Why in News?

Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated the nine-member all-women Tri-Service crew of Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, celebrating their historic 314-day global circumnavigation.

About IASV Triveni’s Successful Mission

• Mission Name: IASV Triveni, a Indian Army Sailing Vessel used for mission ‘Samudra Pradakshina’.
  • It was the world’s first-ever Tri-Service all-women global circumnavigation expedition.
    • Circumnavigation is sailing all the way around the world, crossing all lines of longitude and the Equator at least once.
    • It is defined under World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) standards.
• Tri Service: The mission united women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • The mission included 10-member from three services. Crew member includes Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, along with Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.
  • It demonstrated jointness, maritime capability, and Nari Shakti.
• Duration: The expedition was flagged off on 11 September 2025 from Mumbai by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It concluded on 22 July 2026.
• Objective: The expedition aimed to strengthen Tri-Service interoperability, showcase indigenous defence technology, enhance blue-water sailing skills. 
• Historical Context: It was built upon prior Indian solo and team achievements by Captain Dilip Donde (2009–10), Commander Abhilash Tomy (2012–13), and the Navy’s Navika Sagar Parikrama editions.
• Achievements: The crew completed a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
  • It became India’s first all-women Tri-Service circumnavigation, setting a landmark in military maritime history.
  • The mission satisfied global circumnavigation criteria by crossing all meridians, the Equator twice, the International Date Line, and rounding Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape of Good Hope. 
  • The crew successfully crossed the Drake Passage, among the world’s toughest sea routes. 
  • They earned membership in the prestigious Cape Horners fraternity, recognizing exceptional sailing achievement. 
  • They made international port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada), and Cape Town (South Africa).
  • Success resulted from nearly two years of training, meticulous mission planning, and 24×7 shore support.
• Maritime Learning: The expedition plan included collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to collect information on microplastics, marine biodiversity, and ocean health.
• Significance: The expedition strengthened Tri-Service Jointness, improving coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • It reflects India’s ongoing defence reforms promoting integrated military operations. 
  • The mission proved that leadership, endurance, and operational capability depend on competence, not gender. 
  • It became a major milestone for women in India’s Armed Forces. 
  • It symbolises Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s expanding maritime vision.

What is IASV Triveni?

• About: IASV Triveni (Indian Army Sailing Vessel Triveni) is an indigenously built ocean-going sailing yacht of the Indian Army.
  • It is designed for long-range offshore sailing, military adventure training, ocean navigation, defence diplomacy, and strategic expeditions. 
• Development: The vessel was designed and built in India at Puducherry using indigenous shipbuilding expertise.
  • The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) independently verified and certified its safety and seaworthiness.
• Commission: It was inducted into the Indian Armed Forces in 2018.
• Specifications: IASV Triveni is a 56-foot (about 17 m) sailing vessel built with a fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) hull for strength, corrosion resistance, and lighter weight.
  • It combines durability with efficient long-distance ocean performance. 
  • The yacht is equipped with satellite communication, GPS, Automatic Identification System (AIS), advanced navigation instruments, weather-routing support, and emergency safety equipment. 
  • It can remain at sea continuously for nearly 60 days, enabling extended blue-water missions.
• Roles: Its major roles include ocean sailing training, leadership development, adventure activities, maritime endurance missions, and inter-service cooperation.
  • It supports India’s vision of becoming a leading maritime power. It strengthens maritime awareness, and complements India’s wider Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision through international port engagements.
• Achievements: Before the global circumnavigation, it completed the Mumbai–Seychelles–Mumbai preparatory expedition covering about 4,000 nautical miles in 2025.
  • The vessel has visited countries including Seychelles, New Zealand, and Argentina during official missions. These visits strengthened defence cooperation.
  • It served as a floating ambassador to enhance India’s soft power and defense ties.

IMPORTANT FACTS:

• Equator: The Equator (0° latitude) is an imaginary line dividing Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is about 40,075 km long.
  • A nautical mile equals 1.852 km and is the international standard distance used in marine and air navigation.
• International Date Line (IDL): The International Date Line, located mainly along 180° longitude in the Pacific Ocean, separates two consecutive calendar days. 
• Meridians of Longitude: Meridians are imaginary lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole. Earth has 360° of longitude.
• Cape of Good Hope: The Cape of Good Hope lies near Cape Town, South Africa, at Africa’s southern tip.
  • It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Indian Ocean and is famous for powerful winds, high waves, and heavy shipping traffic. 
• Cape Leeuwin: Cape Leeuwin is the southwestern tip of Australia in Western Australia.
  • It marks the meeting area of the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean and experiences strong ocean swells and challenging weather.
• Cape Horn: Cape Horn, located on Hornos Island, Chile, is the southernmost major headland of South America.
  • It links the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean and is considered one of the world’s most dangerous sailing routes because of hurricane-force winds and giant waves. 
• Drake Passage: The Drake Passage lies between Cape Horn and Antarctica.
  • It connects the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. 
  • It is famous for massive waves, powerful currents, freezing temperatures, and rapidly changing weather, making it one of Earth’s toughest sea passages. 
• Southern Ocean: The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica and is recognised internationally as the fifth ocean.
  • It is dominated by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the world’s strongest ocean current.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What is IASV Triveni?
IASV Triveni is the Indian Army’s indigenous ocean-going sailing vessel for training, expeditions, and maritime diplomacy.

2. Why did Rajnath Singh felicitate the IASV Triveni crew?
He honoured the crew for completing India’s first Tri-Service all-women global circumnavigation aboard IASV Triveni.

3. What is the significance of IASV Triveni for India?
It strengthens maritime capability, Tri-Service jointness, women empowerment, defence diplomacy, and indigenous innovation.

4. Which organisation developed IASV Triveni?
The vessel was designed and built in India at Puducherry using indigenous shipbuilding expertise. 

5. How does an autonomous surface vessel operate?
It operates using GPS, sensors, communication systems, onboard computers, and autonomous navigation software.

Disclaimer: Information in this article is based on official announcements and public records. Regulations and implementation details may evolve over time.