INS Sudarshini Completes Historic Voyage, Returns to Kochi After 10 Months at Sea

Kochi, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Navy’s sailing vessel INS Sudarshini has successfully concluded its historic mission, ‘Lokayan-26.’ After a journey exceeding 22,000 nautical miles, the ship returned to Kochi on Monday. Throughout its expedition, Sudarshini navigated through maritime routes in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America, visiting 17 ports across 11 countries and crossing the Atlantic Ocean twice.

Facing various maritime challenges, the crew demonstrated remarkable resilience. Upon arrival in Kochi, INS Sudarshini was greeted with a water cannon salute, and the Navy band played traditional tunes to welcome the vessel. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, was present to commend the officers and sailors for their efforts in making this challenging mission a success.

He highlighted the crew’s extraordinary patience, professional skills, and commitment to duty. This accomplishment showcases the Indian Navy’s sailing tradition, maritime expertise, and operational readiness. The ‘Lokayan-26’ mission commenced on January 20, 2026, from Kochi. During this journey, Sudarshini participated in France’s renowned maritime heritage festival, ‘Escales à Sète,’ and represented the Indian Navy at the ‘Sail 250’ event in the United States, along with an international naval review.

A key highlight of the mission was the Atlantic crossing, where INS Sudarshini covered 2,200 nautical miles solely under sail in just 18 days. This was the longest distance sailed using only sails during the entire voyage, showcasing the crew’s exceptional maritime skills, patience, and teamwork amid challenging weather conditions.

During ‘Lokayan-26,’ INS Sudarshini engaged in training and professional activities with naval forces from Morocco, Portugal, Italy, Egypt, and Spain. This collaboration allowed for the exchange of training experiences and an understanding of each other’s operational methods. The vessel also showcased India’s maritime heritage at various ports, fostering goodwill through interactions with local communities and events on board.

The mission served as a platform to promote India’s ‘Ocean’ vision and the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ globally. A significant objective was to provide practical sailing training to young naval officers. Trainee officers acquired essential skills such as navigation in open seas, vessel monitoring, sail handling, and weather assessment, gaining firsthand experience in daily ship operations.

Defense experts believe that INS Sudarshini’s ‘Lokayan-26’ mission was not just a long maritime journey but a crucial effort in training, maritime cooperation, and promoting India’s heritage worldwide. This remarkable voyage has become a shining example of the Indian Navy’s sailing capabilities and the courage and skills of its sailors.