Samudra Pradakshina
- Context: The Raksha Mantri recently flagged in the Samudra Pradakshina expedition, the first-ever tri-service all-women sailing expedition to circumnavigate the world, through video conferencing.
About Samudra Pradakshina
- Samudra Pradakshina is the first all-women global circumnavigation sailing expedition involving officers from all three armed forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force.
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- The expedition united women officers from the three Services on a single historic mission.
- It was led by Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, while Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju served as the Deputy Expedition Leader.
- The journey began from the Gateway of India, Mumbai, on 11 September 2025.
- The team sailed on the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
- After 314 days at sea, the nine women officers returned to Mumbai on 22 July 2026, completing a journey of around 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
Major Achievements
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- The expedition successfully completed all the internationally accepted conditions for a world circumnavigation by:
- Crossing all lines of longitude (meridians).
- Crossing the Equator two times.
- Crossing the International Date Line.
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- Sailing around the Three Great Capes: Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), Cape of Good Hope (Africa)
Special Achievement
- The team safely crossed the Drake Passage and rounded Cape Horn, one of the world’s toughest sea routes.
- Because of this achievement, the crew became members of the prestigious Cape Horners fraternity, an honour given to sailors who successfully navigate this challenging route.
Success Factors
- The expedition became successful due to:
- Nearly two years of rigorous training.
- Careful planning and preparation.
- Continuous 24×7 support from the shore-based team throughout the mission.
Project Kusha
- Context: DRDO successfully conducted the first flight test of the indigenous ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, strengthening India’s air defence capability.
About Project Kusha
- Project Kusha, also called the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS), is an indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) system being developed by DRDO.
- It is designed to provide layered air defence by protecting against different types of aerial threats.
Key Features
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- The system will have three interceptor missile variants:
- M1 – Range of about 150 km
- M2 – Range of about 250 km
- M3 – Range of about 350–400 km
- These different variants will enable multi-layer air defence by intercepting threats at different distances.
Threats It Can Counter
- Project Kusha is designed to destroy: Fighter aircraft, Stealth aircraft, Drones, Cruise missiles, Precision-guided weapons, Certain types of ballistic missiles
Operational Role
- The system will be integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
- This will allow real-time coordination between military and civilian radar networks for better air defence.
Role in India’s Air Defence
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- Project Kusha will work along with other air defence systems such as:
- QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile)
- VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System)
- Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems
- Future directed-energy weapons
- Together, these systems will create a strong multi-layered air and missile defence network for India.
Strategic Importance
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- It will strengthen India’s indigenous air defence capability.
- It will reduce dependence on imported systems like the S-400.
- It will promote self-reliance and strategic independence in defence technology.
