Lokayan-2026: Indian Navy Training Ship INS Sudarshini Arrives in Alexandria, Egypt
The Indian Navy's training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the port of Alexandria, Egypt, on September 23, 2026, as part of its Lokayan-2026 expedition.
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The Indian Navy's training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the historic port city of Alexandria, Egypt, on September 23, 2026, as part of its ongoing Lokayan-2026 inter-oceanic expedition. This marks the ship's second visit to Alexandria during this mission.
The 10-month expedition commenced from Kochi on January 20, 2026. Under this journey, INS Sudarshini is scheduled to cover approximately 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 ports across 13 countries. During its voyage, the three-masted vessel has traversed the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The ship also passed through the Suez Canal and participated in the 'Escale à Sète' maritime festival in France.
INS Sudarshini has also completed its first historic journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Following a 19-day voyage from Cape Verde, the vessel arrived in Antigua on May 27, 2026. After departing from Kochi, the ship also crossed the milestone of covering 10,000 nautical miles. Subsequently, the vessel sailed for the Azores and Portugal, arriving in Lisbon on August 22, 2026, which was its 15th port visit in seven months.
Through this maritime journey, trainees have gained practical experience in long-distance navigation, vessel operations in the open sea, sail handling, and traditional seamanship skills.
Upon arrival in Alexandria, INS Sudarshini was welcomed by Rear Admiral Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Commander of the Alexandria Naval Base, and representatives from the Indian Embassy. During the port stay, courtesy calls, mutual visits between the ships of the two navies, and professional dialogues with the Egyptian Navy will be organized to strengthen maritime ties between India and Egypt.
The Lokayan-2026 expedition reflects the Indian Navy's commitment to professional training, expanding maritime reach, and strengthening cooperation with friendly nations. During this deployment, INS Sudarshini has served as a 'roving ambassador' of India's maritime heritage, promoting the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
