The Indian Navy accorded a ceremonial welcome to INS Sudarshini on its return to Kochi on 02 Nov, following the successful completion of Lokayan 26, a ten-month transoceanic sailing expedition spanning over 22,000 nautical miles across the oceans.
The homecoming was marked by a water cannon salute and a ceremonial welcome by the Naval Band, as family members gathered to receive the crew after the voyage.
The Flag-in Ceremony was presided over by VAdm Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Speaking on the occasion, FOC-in-C South commended the crew for their perseverance, professionalism, resilience and devotion to duty, which brought laurels to the nation and the Indian Navy.
He said the successful completion of the expedition reflected the Indian Navy’s high standards of sail training, seamanship and operational preparedness, while showcasing India’s maritime heritage and commitment to strengthening international maritime cooperation, according to a Ministry of Defence press release.
Voyage Covered 17 Port Calls in 11 Countries
Lokayan 26 was flagged off from Kochi on 20 Jan 2026. The voyage included 17 distinct port calls in 11 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.
The deployment involved two transatlantic crossings and extensive sailing passages through diverse maritime environments, providing the crew with exposure to the challenges of long-distance ocean sailing.
Major highlights included the ship’s participation in the Escale à Sète maritime heritage festival in France, and SAIL 250 and the International Naval Review as part of the commemorative events in the United States.
Amid challenging weather and sea conditions, the transatlantic passage covering 2,200 nautical miles over 19 days marked the longest distance covered exclusively under sail. The achievement highlighted the crew’s seamanship, endurance, coordinated teamwork and ability to navigate demanding ocean conditions.
Engagements with Five Foreign Navies
Lokayan 26 also provided a platform for international maritime engagement. Professional interactions, training exchanges and cross-training activities with the Royal Moroccan Navy, Portuguese Navy, Italian Navy, Egyptian Navy and Spanish Navy were among the major highlights.
These engagements furthered maritime cooperation and strengthened ties with the respective maritime forces and navies.
Through port calls, visits onboard the ship and interactions with the Indian diaspora, INS Sudarshini served as an ambassador of India’s maritime heritage and goodwill.
The deployment reflected India’s maritime vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and the civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family.
Focus on Sail Training
Beyond its diplomatic outreach, the deployment remained focused on its core objective of sail training. The ship provided young officer trainees with hands-on experience in ocean navigation, watchkeeping, sail handling, rigging, meteorological assessment and shipboard operations.
The successful completion of Lokayan 26 marks a milestone in India’s maritime outreach and global engagement initiatives, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s commitment to professional training and excellence in ocean sailing.
-PIB Inputs
