Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini reached Lisbon, Portugal, on August 22 during its continuing Lokayan 2026 transoceanic expedition, marking the vessel’s fifteenth port visit in seven months. The three-masted barque entered the Portuguese capital through the Tagus River, displaying the traditional sailing and seamanship skills that remain central to training aboard the ship.
The Lisbon call adds another stage to a voyage designed to combine demanding sea training with professional and cultural engagement. Sailing ships require crews to work closely with wind, weather and sea conditions, placing a premium on teamwork, judgement, endurance and practical seamanship. These qualities remain relevant to naval training even as modern fleets increasingly rely on advanced propulsion, sensors and networked systems.
During the port visit, the crew and trainees are scheduled to take part in professional exchanges and cross-deck visits. Engagements are also planned with Portuguese naval leadership, local authorities and members of the Indian diaspora. Such interactions allow naval personnel to compare practices, build professional familiarity and strengthen contacts away from the more formal setting of large exercises or operational deployments.
INS Sudarshini’s arrival also carries a diplomatic dimension. Port calls by naval training vessels provide a visible but non-combat platform for maritime outreach, combining ceremonial presence with people-to-people interaction. The Lisbon programme is intended to convey friendship, cooperation and camaraderie while reinforcing India’s maritime links with partner countries.
The voyage’s duration and number of port calls underline the scale of Lokayan 2026. Completing fifteen visits over seven months exposes trainees to different ports, procedures, climates and operating environments. It also tests the crew’s ability to sustain a traditional sailing vessel over an extended international deployment while maintaining training routines and representing the country abroad.
Portugal’s Atlantic location gives the Lisbon visit particular maritime significance. The Tagus River approach and the city’s long association with seafaring provide an appropriate setting for a sail training ship whose purpose is rooted in traditional navigation and ship handling. The planned cross-deck and professional exchanges will enable both sides to engage around that shared maritime culture.
For the Indian Navy, training voyages of this kind complement technical instruction by developing leadership and resilience through prolonged life at sea. Cadets and trainees must operate within a close-knit shipboard organisation, respond to changing conditions and participate directly in the routines required to keep the vessel safe and effective.
After completing its Lisbon engagements, INS Sudarshini will continue the Lokayan expedition. The voyage remains focused on training, maritime goodwill and sustained engagement with partner nations as the ship proceeds through the remaining stages of its transoceanic journey.
