Indian naval sail training ship INS Sudarshini returned to Kochi on 2 November after completing the 10-month Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition, the Ministry of Defence said.

The ministry said the voyage covered more than 22,000 nautical miles. The ship received a water-cannon salute and a ceremonial welcome with the Naval Band, while family members gathered to receive the crew.

The deployment included participation in the Escale à Sète maritime heritage festival in France and SAIL 250 and the International Naval Review in the United States, according to the ministry.

A flag-in ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. The ministry described the voyage as part of the Navy’s sail-training and maritime engagement work.

Source: Ministry of Defence, Press Information Bureau, 2 November 2026 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2331798

Image: INS Sudarshini, Indian Navy archive photograph dated 2013, via Wikimedia Commons; Government Open Data License – India. It does not depict the 2026 homecoming. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:INS_Sudarshini.jpg