Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacts with women crew members of Navika Sagar Parikrama (NSP) II online on the eve of International Women’s Day

 Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacted with the crew members of Navika Sagar Parikrama II (NSP II), Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A of the Indian Navy, through video conferencing today on 7 March, 2025 on the eve of International Women’s Day in New Delhi. Their sailing vessel INSV Tarini, currently in the South Atlantic Ocean at a distance of 450 nautical miles from the previous port of call Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, is heading to Cape Town, South Africa.

During the interaction, the Raksha Mantri lauded the courage, dedication, and resilience of the NSP II crew, who have embarked on a challenging voyage of circumnavigating the globe, as part of India’s continued efforts to showcase Nari Shakti in high-endurance missions. He congratulated the crew for the remarkable milestones of crossing Point Nemo, the world's most isolated waters and sailing through the Drake Passage, one of the most treacherous water bodies.

Raksha Mantri reiterated the government’s vision of a gender-inclusive armed force, encouraging more young women to aspire for careers in defence and adventure sports. He acknowledged the invaluable role of women in bolstering national security and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women in the defence sector.

Navika Sagar Parikrama II (NSP II) is a flagship initiative of the Indian Navy, aimed at circumnavigating the globe through a two-women crew on board.  NSP II symbolises India’s resolve to encourage women’s participation in maritime and defence sectors, fostering leadership and self-reliance.  The crew, comprising two women officers of the Indian Navy, underwent rigorous training in navigation, weather management, and ocean survival techniques before undertaking this prestigious journey, which was flagged off on 02 October 2024 at Goa by the Chief of the Naval Staff.

The Ministry of Defence has been at the forefront of ensuring greater representation of women in the Indian Defence Forces. Various initiatives, including permanent commission opportunities, increased intake in the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA), and leadership roles in combat and aviation branches, have significantly contributed to a more inclusive force. 

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INDIAN NAVY'S FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON CONCLUDES VISIT TO PHUKET DEEP SEA PORT, THAILAND

 The visit of First Training Squadron (1TS) - INS Sujata, INS Shardul and ICGS Veera to Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand concluded on a high note with coordinated tactical manoeuvres and exchange of sea riders during PASSEX with HTMS Huahin on 04 Mar 25. During the stay at harbour, bilateral activities between the Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) included multiple professional exchanges, training visits and social interactions bolstering Navy-to-Navy connections.

Capt Anshul Kishore, Senior Officer, 1TS along with Commanding Officers of INS Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Veera called on Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander, 3rd Naval Area Command. The interactions focused on regional security, avenues for joint training exercises and goodwill activities.

The sea trainees of 1TS visited 3rd Naval Area Command, Phangna Naval Port and HTMS Krabi providing opportunity for training interaction and sharing of best practices. A guided tour of 1TS ships was organised for school children, RTN personnel and Indian diaspora. Other highlights of the visit included a combined yoga session and friendly sports fixtures between both sides. An Indian Naval band concert was held at Patong beach witnessing huge footfall of tourists and local populace. An onboard reception was co-hosted by Indian Embassy and Senior Officer, 1TS which was attended by senior leadership from Royal Thai Navy, esteemed members of the Indian diaspora, diplomats and other distinguished Guests.

The extant visit consolidates strong bonds of friendship between the two Navies and underscores Indian Navy's commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with its neighbours in line with the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

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INDIAN NAVY’S THEATRE LEVEL OPERATIONAL EXERCISE (TROPEX) - 2025

 The 2025 Edition of the Indian Navy’s capstone Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) was conducted over a period of three months from Jan to Mar 25. The Exercise which culminated in early March 2025, helped validate many of the Navy’s concepts of operations.

The exercise construct included an Amphibious Exercise - AMPHEX, a Joint Work Up Phase focused on precise delivery of ordnance on target, Cyber and Electronic Warfare, and a Tactical Phase.

The Exercise provided a valuable evaluation of the Navy’s ability to respond to multifarious challenges in a synchronised and integrated manner to defend national maritime security interests.

Set in the Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, the theatre of operations for the exercise extended approximately 4300 nm from North to South upto 35 deg South Latitude and 5000 nm from the Strait of Hormuz in the West to the Sunda and Lombok Straits in the East. TROPEX 25 witnessed participation of 65-70 Indian Naval ships, 9-10 submarines and over 80 aircraft of different types. The exercise achieved a very high level of operational synergy in planning and execution of theatre level scenarios with the other Services. It witnessed extensive participation by the units of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard comprising Sukhoi-30, Jaguar, C-130, Flight Refueller and AWACS aircraft, over 600 Infantry troops, and more than 10 ICG ships.

TROPEX 25 marked the successful culmination of an intense operational campaign designed to assess the Indian Navy’s operational preparedness and material readiness for combat, and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to remain a Combat-ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-ready Force.

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