Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, flagged off the sailing ship INS Sudarshini from the naval base in Kochi, Kerala, in a ceremonial event on January 20. The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini has started on a 10-month-long voyage called Lokayan 26.
#INSSudarshini was flagged off for the landmark transoceanic sailing expedition, #Lokayan26 by VAdm Sameer Saxena ,#FOCINC #SNC from #Kochi on #20Jan 2026.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 21, 2026
22,000 NM – 13 countries – 18 ports
The voyage will showcase India’s 🇮🇳 seafaring heritage and maritime prowess.
Sailing… https://t.co/gKPXauWaFs pic.twitter.com/HXWTpxIY5r
Under the Lokayan 26 expedition, INS Sudarshini will 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 ports across 13 countries. This transoceanic journey of the 54-metre sailing ship will trace ancient trade routes while navigating modern sea lanes, highlighting India’s enduring maritime heritage and prowess.
INS Sudarshini is an Indian Navy sail training vessel. The voyage is not just an expedition, but a hands on training exercise for around 200 personnels of the Indian Coast Guard and Navy.
#IndianNavy's Sail Training Ship #INSSudarshini embarks on a flagship voyage, #Lokayan26 on #20Jan 2026, a 10-month long global sailing expedition covering 22,000 NM across 13 countries and 18 ports.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 20, 2026
Showcasing India’s seafaring legacy, the ship will participate in Escale à Sète… pic.twitter.com/ZuBPzoEvNq
The voyage also serves as a platform for diplomatic outreach, fostering international maritime partnerships under the#MAHASAGAR vision, an extension of India’s commitment to security and growth for all in the region.
INS Sudarshini will also participate in prestigious global events, including the Escale à Sètemaritime festival in France and SAIL250, in New York, a part of 250 years of independece celebrations in the USA in July this year. In New York, INS Sudarshini will join a grand international flotilla, a parade of sailing ships.
“Built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sudarshini is a 54-metre sail training ship of the Indian Navy equipped with 20 sails covering a sail area of more than 1,000 square metres. The vessel offers an unparalleled platform for sea trainees and officer cadets to develop the timeless art of seamanship and navigation guided by wind and waves”, a PIB release stated.
