**Executive Summary**
The Indian Navy's Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini will embark on a 10-month transoceanic expedition, Lokayan 26, starting on 20 Jan 2026. The expedition aims to reflect India's maritime heritage, visit 18 ports across 13 countries, and participate in international tall-ship events, including Escale à Sète (France) and SAIL 250 (USA). The deployment will expose the trainees to nuances of life onboard a tall ship and provide opportunities for interaction with trainees of other Navies, fostering professional exchange and building enduring bonds of friendship.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Expedition Overview:**
* INS Sudarshini will undertake Lokayan 26, a 10-month transoceanic sail expedition.
* The expedition starts on 20 Jan 2026.
* The ship will cover over 22,000 nautical miles.
* It will visit 18 foreign ports across 13 countries.
* **International Events:**
* INS Sudarshini will participate in Escale à Sète (France) and SAIL 250 (USA).
* The ship will represent India's seafaring legacy at these events.
* **Training and Engagement:**
* Over 200 Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard trainees will undergo intensive sail training.
* The expedition will provide opportunities for interaction with trainees of other Navies.
* INS Sudarshini will participate in training interactions and maritime partnership engagements.
* **Symbolism:**
* The voyage symbolizes cultural diplomacy.
* It reaffirms the Indian Navy's commitment to cooperation and mutual trust.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard Trainees**
* **Impact:** Will gain experience in long-range ocean navigation and traditional seamanship. Will be exposed to life onboard a tall ship and have opportunities for interaction with trainees of other Navies.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the intensive sail training during the voyage.
**Indian Navy**
* **Impact:** Reinforces commitment to building bridges of cooperation and mutual trust. Advances vision of MAHASAGAR.
* **Action Required:** Support INS Sudarshini's participation in the voyage and international events.
**Visiting Countries' Navies**
* **Impact:** Potential for training interactions and maritime partnership engagements with the Indian Navy.
* **Action Required:** Engage with INS Sudarshini during port visits to strengthen maritime cooperation.
Key Entities Referenced
INS Sudarshini: The Indian Navy's Sail Training Ship embarking on the Lokayan 26 expedition.
Lokayan 26: A 10-month transoceanic sail expedition of INS Sudarshini.
Indian Navy: The primary operator of the INS Sudarshini and responsible for the Lokayan 26 expedition.
Escale à Sète (France) and SAIL 250 (USA): International tall-ship events in which INS Sudarshini will participate during Lokayan 26.
Ministry of Defence
INS SUDARSHINI TO EMBARK ON
TRANSOCEANIC SAIL EXPEDITION - LOKAYAN
26
10-month expedition covering 18 ports across 13 countries
Voyage to include participation in Escale à Sète (France) and
SAIL 250 (USA)
Posted On: 19 JAN 2026 6:28PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini will embark on the flagship voyage of Lokayan 26,
a 10-month transoceanic expedition, on 20 Jan 2026. Reflecting India’s rich maritime heritage and the
vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam across the oceans, the ship will sail over 22,000 nautical miles,
visiting 18 foreign ports across 13 countries.
A key highlight of the deployment will be INS Sudarshini’s participation in prestigious international
tall-ship events – Escale à Sète, in France, and SAIL 250, in New York, USA. In both these events, INS
Sudarshini will be representing India’s proud seafaring legacy and maritime traditions.
During the course of the voyage, over 200 Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard trainees will undergo
intensive sail training, gaining invaluable experience in long-range ocean navigation and traditional
seamanship at sea. The deployment will expose the trainees to nuances of life onboard a tall ship and
provide opportunities for interaction with trainees of other Navies, fostering professional exchange and
building enduring bonds of friendship.
INS Sudarshini will also participate in training interactions and maritime partnership engagements with
the Navies of visiting countries, strengthening maritime cooperation and advancing the vision of
MAHASAGAR. The voyage stands as a powerful symbol of cultural diplomacy, reaffirming the Indian
Navy’s commitment to Building Bridges of cooperation and mutual trust across nations.
INS Sudarshini, the second sail training ship of the Indian Navy, has covered over 1,40,000 nautical
miles to date. Through Lokayan 26, she continues to serve as a beacon of India’s maritime strength,
professionalism, and goodwill on the global stage.****
VM/SPS
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