Open ocean navigation doesn't care about modern gadgets. When storms hit, trainees on traditional vessels rely entirely on raw grit and ancient seamanship.
Right now, the Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini is making waves far from home. The vessel recently docked at Egypt's historic Alexandria port. This isn't just a routine stop. It marks a critical milestone in the massive Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition.
Let's look at what this voyage actually entails, why Alexandria matters, and what people miss about modern naval training.
Inside the Lokayan 26 Route
The numbers behind this deployment are staggering. INS Sudarshini left Kochi on January 20. The plan? Cover roughly 22,000 nautical miles across 18 ports in 13 countries over 10 months.
That is not a casual cruise. It is an intense test of endurance.
The three-masted barque has already crossed multiple bodies of water:
- The Arabian Sea
- The Red Sea
- The Mediterranean Sea
- A strategic transit through the Suez Canal
Along the way, the ship even checked off a historic first Atlantic crossing by an INS Sudarshini vessel, arriving in Antigua on May 27 after a brutal 19-day open-sea passage from Cape Verde. By August, she had logged her 15th port visit in Lisbon, Portugal. Now, she is back in Alexandria for her second visit during this deployment.
Why Traditional Sail Training Still Rules
You might wonder why a modern military relies on wooden masts and canvas sails in an era of GPS and automated steering.
Honestly, technology breaks. Satellites can jam. Power grids fail.
When you teach naval cadets how to handle a 3-masted barque through open-sea maneuvering, sail handling, and celestial navigation, you build a different kind of sailor. They learn to read the wind, respect the water, and solve complex problems without a screen. Trainees on INS Sudarshini gain hands-on experience that modern destroyers simply cannot replicate.
Strengthening Ties at Alexandria Port
When INS Sudarshini pulled into Alexandria, Rear Admiral Mohamed Abdel Aziz—Commander of the Alexandria Naval Base—was there to greet them alongside Indian embassy officials.
Port calls like this aren't just for sightseeing. They involve high-stakes professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and tactical discussions with the Egyptian Navy. India and Egypt share deep maritime interests, especially with vital trade routes running right past the region. Building personal and professional bonds between navies keeps international shipping lanes stable.
The deployment also serves a diplomatic purpose. INS Sudarshini acts as a floating ambassador for India, carrying messages of global fellowship and cooperative security across continents.
Check your local naval updates or follow official defense channels if you want to track the remainder of the Lokayan 26 route as the crew prepares for their final stretches back home.
